First Nations Voice

Gen er a t i n g br i g h t f ut ur e s bright Don Washenfelder, Energy Services Coordinator, The Pas • Start at three weeks of paid vacation. • Competitive salary and benefits package. • A balanced approach to work, family life and community. • Nine day work cycle which provides every other Monday off. Manitoba Hydro has been named both a Top 100 Employer and Top 25 Manitoba Employer for the second year in a row! Why? One reason is that we offer great developmental opportunities to assist university graduates in their transition from the university setting to a business setting; from a study of theory to an application of knowledge. Commerce Career Development Program (CCDP) Requirements include a four-year Bachelor's Degree in Commerce or Business Administration from a recognized university, with a declared major in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or Marketing; or a Masters of Business Administration Degree. I am a member of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation. I came to work for Manitoba Hydro right after graduating from the University of Manitoba in 2004. I started in the Commerce Career Development Program with my first rotation being in Marketing Programs. During my second rotation in Energy Services & Sales, I bid on a permanent job as an Energy Services Coordinator in The Pas and have been in this role for the last six-and-a-half years. The CCDP helped with my transition from university into the workforce by providing guidance and support. I was introduced to various role models within the Corporation and provided with a mentor to help guide me with my own personal development. The rotational assignments provided me with the knowledge and technical requirements I needed in order to effectively apply myself in my current position. Manitoba Hydro's professional development programs include rotational assignments that balance your interests and the corporation's business requirements. The six-month assignments are designed to provide recent graduates with varied work experience to complement their education and accelerate corporate knowledge. Generating Participants are hired as full-time, permanent employees of Manitoba Hydro and are enrolled in one of the two-year development programs identified below. Each program consists of a series of job rotations through departments in their chosen discipline. While in a development program, participants may apply for other opportunities advertised internally in pursuing their careers at Manitoba Hydro. Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Program Requirements include a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD in Engineering (Electrical, Civil or Mechanical). While progressing through the program, participants are expected to achieve their professional accreditation from the Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of Manitoba. I am a member of the Swan Lake First Nation. I grew up in Winnipeg's North End until my family moved to The Pas when I was 12. After the second year of Engineering, I had a summer job with Manitoba Hydro. During my final year of school, I was hired by Manitoba Hydro and began in the EIT Program about a month after my final exam. After I rotated through a few positions in Winnipeg, I asked for a rotation at the high voltage direct current (HVDC) stations near Gillam. A permanent position as HVDC Plant Engineer became available and I was fortunate to be selected for the position. I lived in Gillam and worked at both the HVDC and the hydro generating stations for about 10 years. Currently, I work in the System Planning Department where I use my education, experience and skills to study the potential impact of proposed new power generation (e.g. wind farms), on the power grid within the province. Manitoba Hydro is a great place to work. Because the EIT program gave me the opportunity to evaluate where I could best fit in, I was able to get my career off to a strong start. C.E. (Calvin) Ewanchuk, P. Eng. Generator Connection Studies Engineer futures For more information on careers at Manitoba Hydro: • Visit our website at www.hydro.mb.ca/careers; • Call 204-360-7282 or toll free 1-800-565-5200; • Email employment@hydro.mb.ca 4500745060_top_employer_ad_output.indd 1 9/24/2012 9:07:28 AM

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