Duquesne Light Company, headquartered in downtown Pittsburgh, is a leader in providing electric energy and has been in the forefront of the electric energy market, with a history rooted in technological innovation and superior customer service. Today, the company continues its role as a leader in the transmission and distribution of electric energy, providing a secure supply of reliable power to more than half a million customers in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Program Description
The Electrical Distribution Technology (EDT) program is a joint partnership between Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) and Duquesne Light Company (DLC) to provide training in the basic skills, knowledge, and abilities applicants would need to apply for skilled craft positions in the electric utility industry. The program design, including pre-qualification testing and course content, is intended to not only produce candidates who possess the skills to safely and confidently perform the manual tasks associated with electrical utility work, but also build the foundational skills that will allow them to advance further in their careers.
The EDT program consists of 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 with college level academic courses in computers, math and electrical theory. This is a full-time program where students will attend classes Monday thru Friday, both day and evening, to complete the 1 year 44 credit course; receiving a Certificate in Electrical Distribution Technology. Students will be responsible for paying their own tuition for the classes at CCAC. There will be 2 paid internships at the end of each semester as part of the program. Upon graduation, students who excelled during the program and demonstrated the right skills and attitudes will be considered for employment with Duquesne Light through its standard hiring practices.
DLC Student Selection Process (you must be recommended or pass at each step in order to advance to the next in the process)
- Application - You must apply to this posting and submit a resume to be considered for the program. Other submissions outside of this process will not be accepted.
- Submission of a Video Interview - Applicants will be invited to submit a brief video interview answering some basic questions pertinent to the program. Invitations for the video interview will be sent via email.
- CAST Test - Prospective students must achieve a minimum passing score on the standardized Edison Electrical Institute (EEI) Construction and Skilled Trades Test (CAST) assessing. abilities in Graphical Arithmetic, Mechanical Concepts, Reading for Comprehension, and Mathematical Usage. Below is a link to the practice CAST test with an unlimited number of tries to get familiar with the concepts:
- Wood Pole Tryout - Candidates that pass the CAST test will be invited to complete a 3-day (7:00am-3:30pm) tryout where they will receive instruction and be assessed on basic tool identification, knot tying, pole climbing, and introduction to confined space. Candidates must receive a passing score in order to advance in the selection process.
- Drug & Background Screens - During the Wood Pole Tryout, a background check and drug screen (both urine and hair follicle) will be administered.
- Interview - Perspective students will participate in a 30 minute face-to-face professional interview with Duquesne Light leadership.
Other Steps in the process
- Enrollment - Prospective students are encouraged to complete the application for admission to CCAC as early in the process as possible to avoid delays in paperwork should they be selected for the program. The online form can be found here https://enrollcredit.ccac.edu/
- Placement Testing - CCAC will review transcripts and/or conduct placement testing on basic math skills before enrollment into the program.
- Department of Transportation (DOT) Physical - Students will need to obtain a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to successfully complete the EDT program. A completed Medical Examiners’ Certificate will be required prior to enrollment.
Deadline to apply - April 30, 2019
Program dates - August 2019 to July 2020
Duquesne Light Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of the employment relationship, without discrimination because of race, age, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability or status as a Vietnam era or special disabled veteran or any other unlawful basis, as defined by applicable law, and fostering a workplace free of unlawful discrimination and retaliation. This policy affects decisions including, but not limited to, hiring, compensation, benefits, terms and conditions of employment, opportunities for promotion, transfer, layoffs, return from a layoff, training and development, and other privileges of employment. An integral part of Duquesne Light's commitment is to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws concerning equal employment and affirmative action.