The clean energy transition is expected to create as many as 150,000 new jobs in Illinois by 2050. As ComEd builds its workforce, the utility is taking steps to reflect the vibrant communities it serves, which comprise more than 9 million people who speak more than 50 languages and reside in both rural and urban areas. In this audio story for T&D World's Line Life Podcast's ICYMI series, ComEd shares four strategies to recruit and train talented and local candidates and keep them safe in the field.

This story, which was originally published in the May 2025 print issue of T&D World magazine, explores how the utility is focusing on trades training and STEM education; expanding internal and external training programs: enhancing recruitment to reach more women in the line trade and ensuring inclusivity and safety by expanding equipment and clothing offerings for its field workforce.

For example, ComEd has launched all-female climb clinics to help women practice climbing poles and prepare for employment testing. In addition, the utility has partnered with vendors to explore how safety gear, including fall protection and flame-retardant clothing, can better fit and protect women while working overhead. Click here to read the article on the T&D World website.

For our 110th episode of the Line Life Podcast, we are highlighting David Hernandez, the regional operations supervisor at Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC). He worked for Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative (GVEC) for 22 years before he joined PEC in 2020.

In this interview, recorded at the 2024 International Lineman's Expo, he discusses how he first got involved with the Rodeo in 2000 and became hooked. At the 2024 competition, he and his journeyman team finished fourth place in the REA division at the International Lineman's Rodeo.

He also described what it was like transitioning from a journeyman lineworker to a supervisor in the line trade and how he is keeping his crews safe in the field.

To learn more about David, read the Lineworker Focus department on our website. If you would like to nominate a journeyman lineworker or field supervisor for this department, email Amy Fischbach, T&D World Field Editor and host of the Line Life Podcast. We look forward to hearing from you!

In the line trade, storm restoration is a part of the job. Lineworkers work through the night in severe weather conditions to rebuild infrastructure and restore power. In our May 2025 issue of T&D World, we featured the story, "Entergy Shares Strategies for Storm Response," to highlight best practices. The article, which was written by Bill Perry, explores four tactics for better restoration from Entergy's 2024 hurricane season.

To learn more, you can read the article on the T&D World website or check it out in the May 2025 print issue.