If you’re interested in building a skilled craft career in the electric utility industry, Duquesne Light Company (DLC) partners with Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) to offer the Electrical Distribution Technology (EDT) program.
Besides gaining highly specialized, valuable skills, another notable perk is that DLC will pay 100% of tuition for all successful applicants in the 2023-2024 class.
Here’s everything you need to know about DLC’s company culture, applying for and attending the EDT program, and post-graduation employment opportunities.
DLC’s Company Culture
If you join DLC’s diverse workforce, you will join an elite group of over 1,700 employees serving over 600,000 customers in the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny and Beaver counties.
Teams across all departments of the next-generation energy company work together to achieve DLC’s vision of “a larger than light clean energy future for all: delivering exceptional results today and boldly harnessing opportunities for tomorrow.”
A robust set of core values influences the Pennsylvania-based energy provider’s daily actions and interactions.
Safety is DLC’s top priority. As such, the company expects every employee to “work safely above all to ensure we sustain a safe work environment for ourselves, our colleagues, and our customers.” Other values include integrity, dependability, equity, and community.
At Duquesne Light Co., employees are the biggest asset. So, the company promotes employee recognition while “fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace that values diversity and rewards performance.”
DLC also gives back to the community via various employee volunteer opportunities throughout the year. The larger-than-light organization powers multiple neighborhood programs and projects by donating time and money.
DLC aims to empower community members by offering local residents a chance to train and potentially start a skilled craft career with the company.
EDT Program Curriculum Requirements
DLC’s EDT program students participate in a “fast paced and challenging curriculum that incorporates practical application of safety concepts and established work practices in the Overhead, Underground, and Substation Maintenance crafts.”
Candidates take college-level courses in computers, electrical theory, and math. Classes are full-time and meet Monday through Friday for a total of 32 credits. Program graduates earn a Certificate in Electrical Distribution Technology.
Additional Benefits and Opportunities
As previously noted, “all successful applicants in the 2023-2024 class” attend EDT for free. The program includes two paid internships at the end of each semester. Students earn a free ‘Class A’ CDL license upon passing the driver’s test.
After graduating, DLC will consider employing students “who excelled during the program, and demonstrated the right skills and attitude.” They will follow the company’s standard hiring practices.
DLC Student Selection Process
Prospective students must have a recommendation or pass each step to advance to the next in DLC’s student selection process. They are as follows:
- Applying – Submit a resume within the company posting to be considered for the program. DLC only accepts submissions within the process.
- CAST Test – You must earn a minimum passing score on the standardized Edison Electrical Institute (EEI) and Construction and Skilled Trades Test (CAST). These tests assess abilities in Graphical Arithmetic, Mechanical Concepts, Reading for Comprehension, and Mathematical Usage.
- Testing Practice – Use this link to practice the CAST test. You can try it an unlimited number of times. The Username and Password are both DuquesneLight1.
- Wood Pole Tryout – If you pass the CAST test, you’ll receive an invitation to complete a 3-day tryout in which you’ll learn and be assessed on basic tool identification, knot tying, pole climbing, and an intro to confined space. The course runs from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. To advance to the next step in the selection process, you must earn a passing score for this section.
- Drug and Background Screens – You must pass a urine and hair follicle drug screen and background check during the Wood Pole Tryout.
- Interview – Upon passing all previous steps, you’ll participate in a 30-minute face-to-face professional interview with Duquesne Light leadership.
Other Important Steps
- CCAC Enrollment – While completing the steps above, you must apply for admission to CCAC. To avoid paperwork delays if selected for the program, fill out and submit the CCAC application as early as possible. Find the online form here.
- Placement Testing – Before you enroll in EDT, CCAC will review your transcripts or conduct placement testing on basic math skills.
- Department of Transportation (DOT) Physical – To successfully complete the EDT program, you must obtain a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Therefore, you need a completed Medical Examiner’s Certificate before you enroll.
The application deadline is May 13, 2023, for Requisition ID 16881. Program dates are August 2023 – July 2024.
Post-EDT Graduation Job Opportunities
Once you graduate, DLC’s EDT program prepares you to pursue a career as an Overhead Journey Lineworker or Underground Splicer, a Substation Maintenance Technician, or a Senior Operator.
Journey Lineworkers function overhead to maintain 690 miles of high-voltage transmission lines and 7,200 miles of distribution circuit lines. They construct, maintain, operate, remove, and inspect transmission and distribution systems (energized and de-energized) and associated equipment. Underground Splicers do much of the same construction, repair, and maintenance work on electric cables below the ground.
Substation Maintenance technicians install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair substations, and Senior Operators are “the first line of defense” when trouble arises.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2021 median pay for line installers and repairs was $74,530 per year or $35.83 per hour. Plus, salary.com lists the average Journeyman Lineman annual salary in Pennsylvania as of March 2023, as $89,890.
By applying and completing DLC’s EDT program, you will build a successful skilled craft career for yourself and play a crucial role in powering the moments of thousands of Pittsburgh, Allegheny and Beaver County residents’ lives!