Jersey Central Power & Light, Raritan Valley Community College, and Brookdale Community College have announced the Power Systems Institute Class of 2010. Forty-four graduates of the program have been hired by JCP&L. In addition, 40 students currently enrolled in the program have been hired as summer workers.

PSI is a two-year educational program designed by JCP&L's parent company, FirstEnergy Corp., to prepare the next generation of utility line and substation workers. Students in the program can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree with a focus on electric utility technology, and may be eligible to receive free tuition, including college fees, books and required protective clothing.

Brookdale Community College Graduates joining JCP&L are: Michael Baniowski, Jason Bridges, Steven Brendel, Thomas Brown, Daniel Crenshaw, William Dahrouge, Anthony Durando, Kevin Froes, Robert Graczyk, Richard Greene, Doug Howe, Paul LaMonica, Thomas Liana, Josh Linkhart, Michael Marino, Jonathan Nelson, Christian Nguyen, Joseph Olini, Alonzo Rawls, Benjamin Seymour, Justin Shulske, John Thomas, and Tom Zadroga.

Raritan Valley Community College graduates joining JCP&L are: Antonio Amendoeira, Mark Blanco, James Boyer, Jeff Briggs, Richard Coates, Lance Cook, Andy Dabkowski, Ryan Derr, Ryan Farley, Thomas Farley, Alan Fernicola, Brian Fiorello, James Griner, Michael Hedlund, Kevin Kinney, Richard LaFevre, Kyle O'Loughlin, Ralph Price, James Schmidt, Brent Shoemaker and Anthony Virga.

"This year's graduating classes are examples of the success of the PSI program in educating and training the next generation of line and substation workers," said Don Lynch, JCP&L president. "Our new employees will continue to gain valuable experience while working alongside our veteran line and substation workers. They will also benefit from the additional programs we offer to provide continued training and opportunities for advancement. I am pleased to welcome them to JCP&L."

In addition to learning the skills necessary to become an electric utility worker, students completed academic courses including economics, applied physics and English composition. Students also earned first aid and CPR certifications and a Class A Commercial Driver's License.

Besides Raritan Valley Community College and Brookdale Community College, nine other colleges across FirstEnergy's service area offer the PSI program.

JCP&L serves 1.1 million customers in 13 New Jersey counties. JCP&L's service area includes all or portions of the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren.