Dione Peech, Electrical Technician

Many opportunities

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"When I first moved up to The Pas, I had a few options because I wasn't really sure where I wanted to go at that point. I was sort of at a crossroads in my career decision. And the opportunity came up for Manitoba Hydro and I didn't actually know what the position was - it was a station operator - but I was just up for adventure. And I just thought, 'You know, let's try this.'

"So I went and when I started at Manitoba Hydro as an operator, it was really eye opening. There were so many opportunities that I just couldn't refuse. It's definitely not something that I ever would have dreamed to be. I always thought I'd be a veterinarian. The way my path went, it just ended up that this is where I went."

Workplace images

Where I work

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"Manitoba Hydro is the province's power utility and gas supplier. It employs about 5800 employees."

"I've been working for Manitoba Hydro since 1997 and I've been an electrical technician since 2006. Before I became an electrical technician, however, I was a power supply worker and before I became a power supply worker I was a station operator.

"I work in The Pas for Apparatus Maintenance Division North. I have a supervisor there and we report to the head office in Thompson."

Two choices

Each generating and converter station is staffed 24-hours. The power supply worker program trains station operators so they help maintain the stations as well as monitoring them.

Station operators are given the choice to become either mechanics or electricians through the power supply worker program. It allows them to get their hours as an operator and as an electrician or a mechanic at the same time, while they are going through school.

Electrical hours

Station operators need a basic understanding of electrical systems. I got this in my Power Electrician Apprenticeship Program at Red River College*. However, I was not working directly with the electrical group at that time so I didn't have any electrical hours to obtain my electrical ticket.

Manitoba Hydro's Power Supply Worker Program allowed me to get the electrical hours while on shift work. Then I took my last year at Red River again, and was able to use those electrical hours to write my ticket and become an electrician.

*Note: This program is four 10-week training sessions offered over four years. As an apprentice, you also need 1600 hours of on-the-job training to qualify for a ticket that recognizes you as a journeyperson electrician.

Hands on training

I did my apprenticeship through Manitoba Hydro, going through their Competency Based Training (CBT) at the Stonewall Training Centre.

The training is all hands on. You learn all the different tools and techniques. You learn how to use field test equipment and how to operate equipment like bucket trucks and manlifts. You even practise going up and down inside the bucket, so being comfortable with heights is definitely an asset!

Important skills

A lot of skills are required in this type of job. You have to be able to read a manual and do research. We work with prints* so you need print reading skills, which you learn through Hydro's Competency Based Training and on the job.

Math and science skills are necessary for working with electrical formulas. You also need good communication and teamwork skills, patience, and the abilities to troubleshoot and think logically.

*Note: Prints are technical line drawings that illustrate every piece of equipment inside a substation and show how each component is electrically connected to other components.

Loves animals

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"I grew up in Winnipeg - mostly North Kildonan. We moved around a little bit, but just basically from one street to another. My childhood was absolutely normal.

"I'm an animal lover so I always had different wildlife in my house. My mom would come home one day and there would be four little ducklings running across the kitchen floor. Or I would always have pigeons in cages in the back yard. I always wanted to help save all the wildlife that I could. I always wanted to be there for them."

Runs marathons

I do a lot of running and I've been training for a marathon. I've run two full marathons and six half-marathons and I've just registered for another in Minneapolis.

When I travel, I incorporate the running aspect into it. My parents go to Arizona in the winter, and in January my brother and I ran the Rock-n-Roll Marathon in Arizona.

Eco-tourism

I do a lot of eco-travel and try to incorporate some sort of wildlife into my adventures. I've swum with dolphins and manatees in Florida and whale sharks in Mexico. I also rode a mule down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I hope to boat alongside narwhals in Baffin Island for my next trip.

I also enjoy travelling throughout Manitoba where I can start out in a prairie, go through mixed forest and a boreal forest, and go all the way up to the tundra in Churchill. It's inspiring! There's a great mix of wildlife here - I've seen moose, caribou, wolves, polar bears and beluga whales.

Parents’ careers

My dad started out with MTS as a technician. He continued his education and went all the way through to become a manager at MTS. When he retired he was teaching project management. He continued with that when he started his own company.

I have two brothers and two sisters. My mother was a real estate broker for a time and she did some transcribing for the government, but she was always there when we came home from school. Her priority was to be home with the kids.

Something I can do

I can be very tenacious. I'm very hands on. If I find a problem with any kind of equipment, I don't ever think I can't fix something. I'll take apart anything and put it back together.

Before I found this job, working with my hands was an underlying hobby. When I got into the job, I thought, "Hey! This is something I can actually do!"

Early start

We start work at 7:12 am with a meeting to decide where everyone is working, and then we collect our tools and equipment and head out.

Depending where we're assigned that day, we may spend a lot of time driving to our destination. We may also fly if we are going to one of our two fly-in sites.

Find and fix problems

For most of the day, we're usually inspecting sites for underlying issues. We look for things like corrosion, damaged equipment, oil leaks, loose wiring and other abnormal conditions that could cause problems later.

We either immediately fix the problem if we have the required tools to do so, or we plan for their repair in the near future - especially if the problem is related to energized equipment as we would need to take it out of service before repairing it.

When we're finished, we drive back, clean up and record any important data.

Hours of work

I'm really lucky in my position because unless I'm on call, as soon as I come home from work, my job is basically done. So from 7 am until 4:30 pm is work and after 4:30 pm is my time.

In The Pas we have a flexible schedule. We work four days a week. If you're on call, you take your cell phone home and if there's a problem you have to go investigate it. That's the only time you bring your work home unless you are working on a project. Each of us is on call once every five weeks for one week at a time.

Biggest stress

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"I think the most stress is when you're on call. A lot of times you're going into an unknown situation, so you're going in not knowing what may have caused a breaker to trip or what may have caused an alarm to come up. It could be at two o'clock in the morning, so now at two o'clock in the morning I might have to drive two hours to get to Snow Lake.

"We have a computer system that does actually tell us what most of the alarms are about, so we can actually kind of prepare before we leave. We can maybe grab another person if we need to. You get out there - you're not sure if you can fix it.

"I would say that would probably be the biggest stress."

With others and alone

This position holds a lot of responsibility as you must always be aware of the safety of yourself, each other and your surroundings.

At times I may be placed in a location where I'm the only person working at that site, but usually I have other people working with me such as fellow technicians and/or trainees. During the times that I do work alone we have a ‘Working Alone Plan' to ensure I am accountable at all times.

Fire-retardant clothing

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"Our substation is energized, so any time we want to work on any of the equipment that's there, we have to isolate that.

"We are given fire-retardant clothing that we wear all the time, just in case, because even if we're inside a panel, it's energized. If there was an accident, sparks may be flying, so at least we're protected this way."

Time outside

Much of our time is spent outdoors although we try to avoid that during extreme weather. There are some situations where we definitely have to be outside.

We can put our gloves on and try to use our tools but it's not always easy. In the spring, summer and fall we spend 99 percent of our time outside.

Scary experience

Before sunrise one morning in Gillam, we were out in minus 32 weather, isolating a transformer from the energized system so maintenance could be performed on it.

Suddenly, there was a huge bang and the sky turned white - the cold had snapped the metal cable connection, causing it to fall and hit the structure. This caused a ground fault and created an explosion of light.

Everyone was okay except for one co-worker. He was wearing safety glasses but had what looked like a sun burn on his face, and our eyes were quite dry from what is called a welder's flash. It was a very scary experience!

Physical work

We are usually out working in the field so it doesn't involve much sitting. In the wintertime when it's really cold out we will sit and do our station manual updating or research, but that's not very often.

There is considerable physical effort, but we always work in groups of two so we share that. We are often required to carry equipment that weighs up to 100 pounds. We'll just carry it from our truck to the structure and then back again, so it's not very far.

Lots of test equipment

We use lots of test equipment. There is testing equipment designed for every aspect of a substation, such as a breaker analyzer for testing breaker operations, and a battery analyzer for testing the conductance of batteries.

For insulation testing, we do a bridge test that measures capacitance, or the ability of a substance to store an electric charge. We also use multi-meters to tell us the voltage and current of electrical circuits of equipment. To measure the resistance of a station ground grid and of ground chains we use a microhmmeter.

Change of plans

When I graduated from grade 12, I wanted to become a veterinarian, so I went to the first year of university. I took the basic science courses but I hated chemistry. That's one of the reasons I didn't continue to pursue the veterinary program.

I'd also worked in an animal hospital for seven years by then, and had got tired of seeing all the sadness working with sick animals. It was time for a change.

Endless career path

After I left the university, I moved to The Pas, not sure what I was going to do. I heard that Manitoba Hydro was hiring and decided that I'd train as a station operator to become a power supply worker and then become an electrician at the same time.

That's the great thing about MB Hydro - they offer you so many opportunities that your career path is endless.

Lots of math

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"The first two levels of Red River College were pretty basic. I have a math and science background. There was a lot of math, and so I found it fairly easy. I was always the only girl in the classes.

"The third level is definitely more difficult. There's a lot more homework and definitely you have to keep up with your homework. If you don't, you'll be lost and you'll be behind."

Diverse background

I learned most of the skills for my job through the Competency Based Training (CBT) program. That gives you a lot of hands on experience and a diverse background working with many different people in many different areas.

I started at the Long Spruce Generating Station and went to Kelsey and then Grand Rapids. After that I worked at Radisson Converter Station. Every year I would change to a new position.

After being at the Limestone Generating Station, I applied in The Pas, where I work now.

Advice to students

For a young person interested in my line of work you need Math 40, Physics 40 and English 40 to even apply. I recommend STEP* Services since Manitoba Hydro hires summer students through their program.

It is also a good idea to take either the Electrical or the Electronic Technology Program through Red River College. Once you complete your first year, apply to MB Hydro. If they hire you, they will credit you for the two years in the technology program.

*Note: STEP is the Student/Youth Employment Program of Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth.

Inspire kids

(TEXT FROM SOUND BITE)

"I would love to make a difference in the world. I'm a big advocate for wildlife, so if there was anything I could do to preserve the future for wildlife I definitely would do that.

"Also, I've got numerous nieces and nephews, and if I could inspire them and watch them grow and just let them know that I was there to support them. Being there to watch the kids and see that they have the spark in their eyes that one day maybe they're going to change the world - just being part of that is something I'd like to do."

Career goals

I'm taking some courses towards my certificate in utilities management through the University of Manitoba. Part of me would like to go into the management aspect with Manitoba Hydro.

One of my career goals is to work for the System Control Centre - their office is all computer-based. When you walk in it's almost like the Starship Enterprise. Everything is on screens. The technology is unbelievable. It allows you to operate equipment that is miles and miles away.

I really enjoy my position now so I could see staying as an electrical technician for a few years and then maybe decide where to go after that.

Element of danger

If I could change one thing about the electrical industry it would be to eliminate any accidents but, of course, you can never eliminate them all. In my line of work you try to avoid working on live equipment, but sometimes you can't get around that.

We take every precaution and Manitoba Hydro gives us every type of protection possible, but if there was some way for the entire industry to take away the element of danger, this would be beneficial for everyone.

More women trainees

There are not a lot of women in my line of work. In my first interview I was asked how I felt about working in a male dominated workforce and I told them I never hesitated a bit!

Now there are more women trainees. I'm really happy about it because it's a great position. There is always someone willing to help you. Women should never think that they are not strong enough or smart enough because it's not true. And the guys have never treated me any differently than they treat the other people.

Manitoba is home

I plan to stay in Manitoba. I have a great job and it keeps me here. Besides that, my family is here.

There is stability in Manitoba. The economy is stable, our health program is stable and there are many benefits. Manitoba is my home and I feel secure here.

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 Dione's occupation is "Power System Electrician" and its NOC* code is 7243.

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: Job Futures

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 4 free courses.

See also Careers at Manitoba Hydro for information about trades training programs.

Below are links to various programs and courses that will guide you on the path to a career as an Electrical Technician.

Manitoba Hydro

Power Electrician Trainee Program
Manitoba Hydro offers a Power Electrician Trainee Program. To enter this program you must be a graduate of Grade 12 with the following subjects: Math 40S (Applied or Pre-Calculus), Physics 40S, English 40G, or a two (2) year diploma in Electrical or Electronic Technology.

Red River College

Electrical Engineering Technology

Skills

The most important skills for Power System Electricians and other related occupations are:

- good physical condition and ability to lift heavy objects
- ability to use lift devices
- ability to work at various heights
- ability to use mechanical equipment
- good communication, teamwork and analytical skills
- ability to find innovative solutions
- ability to work with precision instruments
- good theoretical background
- attention to details
- ability to keep up to date with changing technology

Source: Manitoba Job Futures

Professional Resources

Certified Technicians and Technologists Association of Manitoba (CTTAM)
Certifies Engineering Technicians and Technologists in Manitoba

Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT)
Ensures technicians and technologists maintain high standards of excellence

International Brotherhood of Electricians Local 2034
2700 member union local representing employees of Manitoba Hydro

Related Careers

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

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

Industrial Electrician (NOC 7242)