PBSC Electrician students get hands-on boost from FPL

Florida Power & Light (FPL) donated five meters to the Commercial and Residential Electrician program at Palm Beach State College on Tuesday, July 21, giving students a hands-on learning tool to help prepare for careers in the trade. Meters are electric devices FPL uses to measure how much electricity a customer uses and to help the utility bill and monitor service accurately.

Edward Sanchez, an engineering leader at FPL, visited the Palm Beach Gardens campus to speak with electrician students about meter technology, his career path, and the value of learning on the job.

“We don’t expect you, coming into a field, to know everything,” Sanchez said. “We just expect you to know the fundamentals, and we’ll teach you everything on the job.”

During the presentation, Sanchez showed students several types of meters FPL uses, including residential, commercial, smart meters and larger transformer-rated meters. He also explained that the devices are tested for accuracy and durability against weather, surges, humidity and other conditions.

The donation fills an important gap in the program, according to instructor Jeff Chiyka, who said students previously did not have meters they could examine up close.

“It’s good to have because it kind of fills in the missing piece of the puzzle for power transmission in the house,” Chiyka said. “So, it’s kind of nice to have them to be able to demonstrate what they really look like, how they work, and how we use them otherwise.”

Chiyka added that students often learn concepts more easily when they can see and handle the equipment themselves.

“You see it outside your house, right? But you don’t really know what this thing does. I can explain it from a book, but this is always better,” he said. “I find that even these concepts I try to explain, if it’s hands-on, it’s a lot easier for them to understand.” 

For student Ra’quan Pride, 18, the visit from FPL was especially meaningful. He said the company helped inspire his decision to pursue a career as an electrician.

“I always wanted to work for FPL, and they’re the reason why I’m actually here,” Pride said. “Because of FPL, I wanted to become an electrician. They had come to my high school and did a presentation.”

Pride said the program has already been a positive experience, even though the class is only two months in.

“Mr. C’s a great teacher, really loved the guy. High energy, great spirits, a good teacher,” he said. “Maybe some people might find it harder, but everybody here, we enjoy the program. Everybody here is cool with each other. So yeah, I really like the program.”

Students in the PBSC Residential and Commercial Electrician program are working toward their Career Certificate Program and completing 1,200 hours of work experience.