Pole training boot camp is in full gear at PPL's training facility in Allentown.

"When there are storms and service needs to be restored, these are the people who are going to come out of the truck and do it," said Bob Grant, supervisor.

For the next 12 weeks, 24 new hires will learn the ins and outs of building, rebuilding, fixing, and climbing the 44,000 miles of PPL's power lines.

The company is hiring 500 people over the course of 2010, most to replace a wave of retiring baby boomers.

"We're hiring engineers, customer service professionals, linemen, electricians, you name it," said Ryan Hill.

PPL is investing more than a billion dollars of new infrastructure over the next half decade and need people to make sure when customers flip the switch, a light comes on.

It's planning to add 10 electric substations in eastern Pennsylvania over the next two years.

That includes ongoing construction of three power hubs, one of which is in Lower Macungie Township, Lehigh County.

PPL said it expects to build one of six new substations in Moore Township, Northampton County next year.

A planned substation in Monroe County is pending regulatory review.