Manitoba's Top Employers

13 BY EMPOWERING ITS EMPLOYEES, MANITOBA HYDRO IS AN EXPERT AT GENERATING ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM IN ITS WORKFORCE. In particular, opportunities flourish for employees working on several large-scale power-generating projects. "We pride ourselves on the fact that when we hire people, most of them choose to make a lifelong career at Manitoba Hydro," Human Resources Division Manager Gary Maksymyk says. Manitoba Hydro has entered into a partnership with four First Nations (Tataskweyak Cree Nation and War Lake First Nation (acting as the Cree Nation Partners), York Factory First Nation and Fox Lake Cree Nation) to build the Keeyask Generation Project on the Nelson River 58 kilometres east of the community of Split Lake. Keeyask will be the fourth largest generating station in Manitoba Hydro's system when it's fully in service by 2021. Manitoba Hydro is also busy with the Bipole III transmission project, which includes the Keewatinohk converter station also near Gillam. These projects bring an abundance of unique work opportunities to Manitoba's biggest Crown corporation, Maksymyk says. "We're in a good space because we have these major projects on the go, so we're in the fortunate position of requiring additional staff to get this work done," Maksymyk says. "It's a great opportunity for employees at Manitoba Hydro to become involved in these projects". The work involves a mix of employees and contractors in the new construction. "The benefit for Manitoba Hydro employees is they get to work on these mega-projects and be involved from start to finish," Maksymyk says. "We don't build generating stations ev ery day." Currently, at a work camp on the Keeyask site, staff are busy blasting rock, diverting the river and getting the site ready to pour concrete to begin building the generating station. "What's extraordinary about this work camp are all the amenities that are attractive for people working on site," Maksymyk says. "Accommodations include a hotel-like facility that is among the highest quality of its kind in the country. The camp has Internet access, a great restaurant-style dining complex, a movie theatre and top-notch recreation facilities that include fitness machines and a full gymnasium with courts for people to play badminton, squash and volleyball. "It's important that it's a nice place because staff spend a lot of time there. Our employees typically stay there for 14 or 21 days in a row, so we've got to make it comfortable." One of those career-minded employees is Jon Kell, head of the Civil Design Section in the Transmission Business Unit. "As an engineer, you look for the opportunity to be part of major projects." Kell says. "We are fortunate to work at Manitoba Hydro at this time when you have some of the biggest capital projects in North America at your feet. "Manitoba Hydro is in a niche market where you have the opportunity to develop technical expertise that you wouldn't otherwise be able to develop. We've empowered our staff to make decisions in the interest of the owner, Manitoba Hydro. When you see these multi-billion dollar projects going up and you've been a part of them, it brings a lot of job satisfaction." During his nine years at Manitoba Hydro, which employs about 6,200 people in total, Kell has been happy to remain in the same group within the company. "I think it's great that you have the opportunity to move around within Hydro, but I think it's equally important that you have the opportunity to do something that you love doing," Kell says. "I'm a structural design engineer and they've given me the opportunity to develop myself within that role without having to move around. "At the same time, I really enjoy working with all the different groups within Hydro. Because our projects are so huge and they touch on so many different areas, I get to work with environmental scientists and lawyers and procurement groups. It's such a collaborative approach to developing these projects that you pick up many neat experiences along the way." For Kell, it's no surprise that Manitoba Hydro has once again been named one of the province's top employers. "I have the utmost respect for Manitoba Hydro," he says. "It's just exciting when you think of all the opportunities at a place like this." bright futures bright futures bright Visit us at www.hydro.mb.ca G e n e r a t i n g b r i g h t f u t u r e s Proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers & Manitoba's Top Employers for the 6th consecutive year. There has never been a more exciting time to join Manitoba Hydro. diverse & challenging work • work-life balance protect the environment • great benefits Manitoba Hydro is in a niche market where you have the opportunity to develop technical expertise that you wouldn't otherwise be able to develop. Leigh Ermitanio, earthworks and excavation contract administrator at the Keeyask Generation Project site. Submitted photo. MANITOBA HYDRO Hydro empowers its employees By Jennifer McFee MANITOBA'S TOP EMPLOYERS

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