New scholarships offered to diverse students

Up to 50 to be awarded as part of FirstEnergy’s PSI D & I program

The Power Systems Institute, a FirstEnergy Corp. award-winning program is awarding up to 50 scholarships this year to underrepresented candidates who reside in the company’s service area in support of the company’s diversity and inclusion efforts.

The grant serves to train the next generation of line and substation workers, noted FirstEnergy Communications Representative Eyad Gheith.

The scholarships are the first offered under the FirstEnergy Power Systems Institute Equal Access Scholarship Program, a diversity and inclusion initiative encouraging men and women from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds to pursue learning a skilled craft in the program.

FirstEnergy funds the scholarship, Gheith added.

The FirstEnergy Power Systems Institute Equal Access Scholarship provides assistance with living expenses to students attending the 21-month program.

According to the company, the scholarship is offered to students who traditionally have been underrepresented in the skilled craft trades, “including black or African-American, Native American or Alaska native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, people of two or more races, and students of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, in addition to female candidates.”

This year, the 50 scholarships are being awarded across FirstEnergy’s 10 operating companies. A diverse panel will review 2021 Power Systems Institute program applications and determine recipients.

The $1,000 per month scholarship, not to exceed $21,000 over the duration of the program, will be distributed quarterly to students who remain active in Power Systems Institute.

The scholarship can be used to offset housing, transportation and other living expenses during participation in the PSI program, the company stated.

Scholarship applications for the 2022 program year will become available to candidates this fall.

“FirstEnergy understands and supports the value of Power Systems Institute students from diverse cultures and various ethnic backgrounds,” said Dave Karafa, vice president of distribution support.

“FirstEnergy is committed to, and benefits from, the full and equitable participation of a diverse community,” he said. “The program’s mission is to provide these students with the opportunity to attain their professional goals while advancing the utility industry.”

The company originally introduced Power Systems Institute in 2000 to help replace retiring line and substation workers. The program combines classroom learning with hands-on training.

Programs were established with colleges throughout the company’s six-state service area. Program openings are limited, and applicants are assessed through a competitive, multi-step process.

For qualified students, FirstEnergy pays tuition, required books and lab fees. Graduates of the program receive an associate of technical studies degree with a focus on electric utility technology.