BPU Electricians Pat Shay and Jake Prince, Tye Flurie, transmission and distribution supervisor, and Jarrett Devereaux, electrical engineer, spoke to students about their positions and the types of tasks and challenges they deal with on a daily basis. Ellen Ditonto, BPU business development coordinator, detailed future clean energy jobs. Tammy Anderson, BPU human resource manager, described BPU jobs, the utility’s application process and the skill level required for various positions.

David L. Leathers, BPU general manager, said it is important to encourage students in electrical trade programs to investigate regional career opportunities.

“We were pleased to host the P-Tech students and to provide an important overview of the work we do and the community that we serve,” he said. “The students were able to connect with our staff to learn more about jobs in the public power sector.”

P-Tech students have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma, an associate’s degree through Alfred State and valuable industry certifications–all while gaining hands-on experience in advanced manufacturing. In addition to technical skills, the CAM P-Tech program strongly emphasizes professional development, workplace readiness, and career exploration.

P-Tech students visit the BPU power plant with BPU Engineer Rob Roush, pictured in yellow hard hat, and Ellen Ditonto, BPU business development coordinator, right.

P-tech instructor Jason Fitzner believes field trips like the one to the BPU are critical to help students understand the practical application of skills they are learning at the Academy.

“It is so important to have a business like the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities that we can partner with to show our students that the knowledge they are acquiring is put to practical use in the industry,” Fitzner said.