Richard Vincent, Power Line Technician

A day at camp

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"I just started really looking at long-term and what I wanted to do and I wanted job security. So that's what really got me to apply. And once I started getting in and I started meeting the guys, it was something I really enjoyed.

"For me it was like a day at camp. You get out there, rain or shine. It could be pouring rain on you, and you've got to get ready. You make a job plan, 'This is what we're going to do', everybody gets their assigned tasks, and then you go out and you get to climb poles, be outside and enjoy the weather.

"So once I got out there on the job, that's what really made me enjoy it. That's why I decided this is what I want to do."

Workplace images

Where I work

I work for Manitoba Hydro in Winnipeg, although we have offices all over the province. Manitoba Hydro generates electricity and then sells and distributes it to customers. We keep the lights on.

Note: Manitoba Hydro is a Crown Corporation and the province's major energy utility, with headquarters in Winnipeg. It serves 521,600 electric customers and 261,150 natural gas customers throughout Manitoba. It has 3,200 employees.

Working as a trainee

My official job title is Power Line Technician, Level B trainee. I'm assigned to a journeyperson or a utility person to work under each day. My key tasks are to learn as much as possible and stay safe.

Right now I'm working on street lighting but my assignment can change depending on the day.

Pre-placement program

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"It's called the Aboriginal Pre-Placement Program*. They take guys from all over the province that need upgrading and Hydro puts you through the schooling to upgrade your high school.

"It's six weeks of in-school, right off the start, just to upgrade your high school. Once you've passed your two or three classes, whatever you needed, you go to on-the-job training for six months."

*Note: This program is run by Manitoba Hydro. For more information, see Aboriginal Pre-Placement Program in USEFUL LINKS.

Working with new people

I enjoy working with new people, and many different people. Every four months they do transfers and so you're always working with new faces.

It's unreal the number of people you meet. You're never working by yourself. You're always working with a team.

No customers

At my level, you don't interact with the public or Hydro customers very often. The odd time you'll get somebody come tell you about a light being out and that's about as far as it goes for me now.

As you get further on in this kind of job, you start dealing with the customers more, but not at my level.

Grew up in Grande Pointe

I grew up in Grande Pointe, just south of Winnipeg where it's quite rural. I went to school in Ile Des Chenes for elementary school and then to high school in Lorette where I graduated.

It's country living, but only 15 minutes from the St. Vital Shopping Centre.

Parents’ careers

My dad is self-employed. He runs a sandblasting company. My mom works at a bank.

They've both been working in those careers since before I was born.

For the rest of my life

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"I didn't really have any big plans when I was going to school for what I wanted to do. I always knew I could work for my dad and I could always find work. and so I never really went for one particular career.

"Even enrolling in this*, I wasn't looking at a long-term career. But once I got into it and started doing it, then I realized that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life."

*Note: Richard is referring to the Aboriginal Pre-Placement Program. For more information, see Aboriginal Pre-Placement Program in USEFUL LINKS.

Enjoys the outdoors

Quadding is my main thing to do in the summertime. I go snowmobiling in the winter, but I don't do as much of that now because I'm already out in the cold all day.

My family has a cabin where we spend lot of time. It's quad and snowmobile heaven out there. The hunting and fishing is great too.

Staying in Manitoba

I plan to stay in Manitoba. I have my whole family here. I can't see myself going anywhere else.

Learn on the job

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"For this particular job, I've learned a lot of it just on the job as a replacement. They give you the basic training, they teach you what the tools are. You don't do much; you don't do any climbing - you're just mostly doing groundwork, helping the guy out who's up there.

"But when you get out there for six months, and then you start with the new hires, you've got six months of job experience. That's where I get most of my experience is on the job.

"And then in school they teach you a little more electricity theory and stuff like that, and just how to be safer out there."

A typical day

On a typical day, I arrive at the shop by 8:00, go over the emails and find out who I'm working with. Next, we go over our plans for the day and restock the truck and make sure we have all the equipment.

From 8:30 until lunchtime, we could be anywhere in the city repairing street lights. We break for lunch and then spend the rest of the afternoon fixing street lights. At around 3:30 we stop for a break and then head back to the shop to do paperwork. My day usually ends at 4:30 or 5:00.

Steady pace

We keep a steady pace. We will get the odd overtime call, like if a light standard falls down, or a contractor cuts a wire when they're digging and we have to fix that, but it's seldom an emergency.

Not stressful

For the most part it's not a very stressful job for me. It might be different for someone else. I'm sure there is more stress for the guys who have more responsibilities and paperwork.

I have no problem finding a healthy work/life balance.

Enjoys line work

I really enjoy the power line work. I did a lot of that at the beginning of my training here.

Now I'm doing the streetlight work but I look forward to going back out there and climbing poles, building new wire and rebuilding old wire.

Communication is key

Communication is key out there on the job. We rely on our co-workers to ensure safety procedures are followed at all times.

We communicate mainly by phone and radio.

Mostly outdoors

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"In the winter, it's cold, but you get used to it, I guess. You  just learn to dress up and once you're dressed for it, it's not bad at all. It's kind of nice being out in the cold if you're dressed for it.

"They provide us with flame-resistant clothing and they give us enough to keep us warm in the winter. They give us two jackets, one that will fit inside the other, and insulated coveralls. Boots, you buy yourself, but they reimburse you for them. And they'll supply you with all the gloves you need and balaclavas, all that stuff, so they keep you warm."

Necessary skills

You will need to have legible writing so that you can fill out paperwork and documentation. People skills and teamwork are also important to work with others and get along.

And you should also be physically fit.

Climbing poles

Right now I'm in street lighting. For height work I work out of a bucket. When I get back into power line construction, I will start hiking poles, using spurs and a belt.

This is very physically demanding but it's also fun. My favourite part of training was the challenge of climbing the poles.

Street light technology

I am learning to use technology in street lighting with all the systems and circuits on a computer program.

I have to refer to the computer a lot out in the field. It helps a lot with the troubleshooting process.

Tried several jobs

I tried a few different jobs: sandblasting, shipping, painting, driving and a few other jobs before I decided to get serious with Manitoba Hydro.

Training test

I took the SATO (Skills Assessment Trades Orientation) as part of the pre-placement training process. It looks at how you follow instructions, read a module or climb a pole.

These skills are important if you want to learn this trade.

Advice on courses

My advice to someone interested in working for Manitoba Hydro is to check out the prerequisites for the training that Manitoba Hydro offers, and take the courses while in high school rather than upgrading after graduation.

*Note: Richard recommends taking the higher level high school courses: Physics 30, Math 40 and English 40.

Support from parents

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"My parents always did support me with my choice. They always want to make sure it's what I want to do. They're very supportive, when it comes down to it. Whatever I want to do, I can decide and they don't pressure me."

Get the ticket

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"My immediate goal would be just to get through the apprentice program and get my Journeyman ticket.

"Hopefully after that, maybe get a job close to home and set up shop there."

Five years from now

Five years from now I'll want to have a good job and make good money and be secure.

I would like a lifestyle where I have a comfortable home and I'm not rushing all the time. I want to enjoy life.

Lots more to learn

Our job transfers will be coming up soon so from here I could go anywhere in the province. I spent most of my time in construction before I did street lighting so street lighting was a big change.

I have learned a lot in the past four months and there will be a lot more to learn every four months after this.

Future schooling

I'm sure there will come a time when I'll go back to school to upgrade, either in management courses or business courses. I'm always looking for a challenge like that.

As much as I didn't care for high school, when I went for upgrading after high school, it was a whole different story. I was there to do it as part of my job.

Job Market Info

The links below take you to federal and regional government information on employment, education, salary ranges and long range prospects for this career.

The official title for Richard's occupation is "Electrical Power Line and Cable Workers" and its NOC* code is 7244.

Manitoba Job Futures

Working in Canada Career Research Tool

*Each occupation has an official name and unique number called the 'National Occupation Classification' code or 'NOC'.

Education

Useful High School subjects

- Industrial Arts (Electricity)
- Computer-related courses
- Drafting
- Math
- Physics
- English

*Source: JobFutures.ca

For those out of school, Adult Learning Centres can help you get or upgrade your high school diploma, including adding subjects that are required for work or further education. All Manitobans are normally entitled to four free courses.

Below are links to various programs and courses that will get you on the path to a career as a Powerline Technician.

Manitoba Hydro Power Line Technician Trainee Program
To enter this program you must be a graduate of Grade 12 with the following subjects: Math 40S (Applied or Pre-Calculus) or Math 300, Physics 30S or Physics 300, and English 40 or English 300/301. For more information about this program and about how to apply visit the Manitoba Hydro website.

Manitoba Hydro Aboriginal Line Trades Pre-Placement Training Program
If you do not have the pre-requisite courses, Manitoba Hydro will assist you with upgrading your high school.

Essential Skills

The most important Essential Skills* for Powerline Technician and other related occupations are:

- Reading Text
- Oral Communication
- Critical Thinking

*For more information on Essential Skills and their importance to this occupation, go to: Essential Skills NOC 7244

Professional Resources

Canadian Union of Public Employees
Union that protects rights, wages, and working conditions for public service employees

Canadian Electrical Contractors Association
A federation of provincial and territorial electrical contractor groups that undertakes to represent electrical contractors at the national level

Related Careers

Power System Electricians (NOC 7243)

Telecommunications Line and Cable Workers (NOC 7245)

Contractors and Supervisors, Electrical Trades and Telecommunications Occupations (NOC 7212)

Electrician (except industrial and power system) (NOC 7241)

Industrial Electrician (NOC 7242)