Columbus-based American Electric Power Co. expects to save about $60,000 per employee in in-house training costs if it can hire people who already have some basic training and skills.

"It's a lot easier than having to drag someone across the finish line," said Sal Piazza, manager of technical skills for the company.

While the power industry operates around the clock and in all kinds of weather, there are attractions for workers. Graduates of two-year degree programs can earn up to $40,000 or more in starting salaries and sometimes $75,000 or more with overtime, and job security is higher than in many other industries.

"You don't hear about cutbacks in the power industry like you do in the automotive industry," said Hank Dingus, 31, of Milford, who works at an auto transmission plant and enrolled in UC's program.

"I think this is the next hot job, and I want to take advantage of it," he said.

Christofferson said he fields calls from utilities all across the United States seeking apprentice linemen.

"The demand is there, and the opportunities right now for a young person wanting to get into this field are really great," he said.

But not everyone is confident that the education programs can provide enough people. Union officials have no problem with the new college degree programs, but they believe utilities should hire employees first and then pay for the college programs.

Union officials doubt that enough people will want to spend the money and time required for a degree unless they have a guaranteed job.

"Every day we delay hiring people, another 40-year veteran is retiring and won't be there to pass along valuable experience," said Jim Hunter, director of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers utility department.

But Christofferson is cautiously optimistic that the industry will find solutions to the situation.

"It's going to be maybe short in some areas, but ... we've got a young group of kids, a lot of young apprentices who are real excited about being linemen, working on power lines, working in substations, all of that," he said. "Hopefully, we'll be able to keep the power on."

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On the Net:

Center for Energy Workforce Development: www.cewd.org

E-mail: gkratz@desnews.com