Recently, ComEd and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 15 gathered to celebrate 54 new lineworkers who graduated from their overhead apprenticeship program. All graduates reveled in this achievement, especially Pete DiSalvo, whose biggest motivation was his family.
The ComEd Joliet Training Center Overhead Apprenticeship Class.
Pete is a ComEd lineworker and family man who spends his free time with his wife and three daughters, all under the age of five, playing princesses and practicing Spanish, his wife’s native language. In 2020, he and his wife had just welcomed their first daughter, and he had left his job of 10 years as an Outside Tech at a telecommunications company to join ComEd as an Overhead Helper, an entry-level trades role. He knew it was an opportunity for growth and memories of ComEd crews coming to the rescue after storms knocked down power lines in his backyard highlighted the purpose he could fulfill.
“Now that I’m part of the team, I recognize that it’s a very dangerous job but it’s also rewarding,” said Pete. “Even working storms is enjoyable because I know that I’ll make the biggest difference for so many people by turning their lights back on.”
Though exciting, it was also a challenging time as he grew not just as a future lineworker but as a father and husband. “Going through the apprenticeship was a physical and mental challenge, because I had to juggle being a new dad and a good partner to my wife while studying and training for my new job,” said Pete.
Overhead Helpers first have to pass a month-long training and a 5-day qualifier exam to demonstrate that they can meet the physical requirements needed in linework. Upon passing, he then embarked on on-the-job (OJT) training, while he applied to join the overhead apprenticeship school. He was accepted at the ComEd Joliet Training Center, where for two years, he participated in math and electrical classwork, physical training, and exams. The last weeks of his training were particularly difficult as he dealt with the declining health of older family members. “I had to sacrifice a lot, like being away from my family for long periods of time, and there are things that are out of your control,” said Pete. “At the end of the day, I’m here doing my best for my family.”
Now, as a full-fledged lineworker, he’s proud of this achievement and of his classmates, who, by all accounts, agree Pete was their role model and greatest cheerleader. Pete attributes their closeness to having each other’s backs throughout this journey. “We all were going through the same experience and supported each other along the way.”
Pete and his wife Aneli and daughters Isabela, Emilia, and Eliana DiSalvo.
Pete looks to the future with hopes of making an impact in his community while taking care of his family. “I just want to focus on doing a good job,” said Pete. “I also want to work hard towards something – be financially stable and build generational wealth for my girls and one day retire comfortably with my wife,” he said. To others who are considering changing careers and joining the electrical trades, he says, “Take the risk, don’t be scared. If you put your mind to it, you’ll achieve and the rewards are always bigger.”
Pete is one of more than 1,000 entry-level workers who have been hired by ComEd since 2018 as part of an agreement with the IBEW Local 15. From increasingly severe weather to working to meet evolving energy demands fueled by solar, EVs, and other clean energy technologies, ComEd is working to build a local and skilled talent pipeline needed to modernize the power grid. For more information on how to get started or join one of ComEd’s job training programs, visit ComEd.com/CleanEnergyJobs.
