PPL Electric Utilities is hiring experienced journeymen linemen to meet staffing needs and continue the reliable service it provides to customers.

"We have an exceptional group of skilled and dedicated linemen who respond 24 hours a day, in all types of weather, when customers need them," said Michael E. Bray, president of PPL Electric Utilities. "We are looking for people with the same level of dedication to continue our tradition of service as existing linemen reach retirement age."

Linemen build, maintain and repair wires, poles and equipment, he noted. They are essential to providing the high level of reliability customers have come to expect.

While PPL Electric Utilities has reduced its work force in some areas because of improved work processes and new technologies, the number of linemen has remained steady for a decade.

PPL Electric Utilities will be adding 24 journeymen linemen. Qualified individuals who are interested should apply online at www.pplweb.com by selecting the "careers" option at the top of the home page.

Also, the company will be offering entry-level "helper" positions to existing employees of PPL Electric Utilities who are interested in beginning a five-year training program to become journeymen linemen. Available positions will be filled in accordance with agreements between the company and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1600.

PPL Electric Utilities serves 1.3 million customers in 29 counties of eastern and central Pennsylvania.