Manitoba's Top Employers

And while Manitoba Hydro is in the middle of finding efficiencies to make sure the Crown corporation runs as smoothly and effectively as possible, Hydro's Director of Human Resources and Workplace Safety and Health, Paul Desorcy, says that doesn't mean there isn't career advancement. "While we have a large number of employees who will be leaving via our voluntary departure program, there are a lot of people who are going to see opportunity in that," explains Desorcy. "Even though the organization is going through a period of transition, I can't emphasize enough that there continues to be opportunity for employee growth, development, job-enrichment and career changes. There are many areas in the organization where we are going to need skilled and experienced employees." With just shy of 6,000 employees, Manitoba Hydro has employees working in nearly every corner of the province. And the types of jobs available through Hydro are just as wide-ranging as the communities they serve, says Desorcy. "I'd say there are over 200 different types of jobs at Manitoba Hydro — everything from engineers, electricians and crane operators, to information writers, lawyers and accountants — it's very diverse," he says, adding Hydro's in-house training programs mean employees have the chance to get the education needed to further their careers. "There are a number of opportunities in Manitoba Hydro to move between different areas and advance within the organization." Hydro offers a tuition rebate program that sees the company pay up to $8,000 for employees to help cover the costs of improving their post- secondary education where this in turn benefits the organization. Manitoba Hydro offers a number of internal professional development opportunities and also has its own 38,000-square-foot technical training centre, which features a variety of training programs, classrooms, technical shops, and indoor and outdoor training areas. "It's a world-class facility where we have training equipment for various technical trades to ensure work is done safely — our No. 1 priority," explains Desorcy. "We have poles erected for line trades training and the facility provides for a combination of outdoor and indoor training. Our trades are technical and this facility has sophisticated equipment that our trainees can learn on. "The training includes classroom time followed by paid on-the-job training." Hydro has developed special training programs to increase and enhance the diversity of their workforce. "The Aboriginal Line Trades Pre-placement Program provides Indigenous candidates with academic upgrading and on-the-job training, which is required to enter the Line Trades training program," Desorcy says. The Disability Access Program creates opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to work at Hydro, giving candidates paid work experience, on-the-job training and coaching, he says. Hydro has also partnered with SCE LifeWorks to take part in the community organization's Project SEARCH Winnipeg program. "It's an employment transition program for high school students with developmental disabilities to give them an opportunity to learn employability and job skills while participating in worksite rotations with the goal of competitive employment," Desorcy says. Hydro also offers competitive benefit programs for employees, including three weeks of vacation to start and flexible hours where possible. Desorcy says Hydro also helps employees support charities close to their hearts through payroll deductions. The company also maintains an Employee Fund to provide financial assistance and support to employees in need. "Manitoba Hydro is the type of organization that really appreciates the dedication of its employees," he says. "You can imagine, when nasty weather occurs, we have employees who have to go out and repair the electrical system so people have power and there's a certain amount of dedication to be climbing a tower in minus 30 degree weather when there's a storm going on." MANITOBA HYDRO STAFF AT THE UNITED WAY PLANE PULL IN SEPTEMBER. MANITOBA HYDRO IS ONE OF UNITED WAY'S TOP 50 WORKPLACES WHICH ALLOWS THE CROWN UTILITY TO COMPETE IN THE ANNUAL PLANE PULL THAT RAISES MONEY AND AWARENESS FOR THE UNITED WAY OF WINNIPEG. SUBMITTED PHOTO CHANGE BRINGS OPPORTUNITY AT MANITOBA HYDRO GENERATING BRIGHT FUTURES www.hydro.mb.ca INCLUSION & FAIRNESS WORK-LIFE BALANCE GREAT BENEFITS ECO-CONSCIOUS DIVERSE & CHALLENGING WORK LEADER IN SAFETY Available in accessible formats upon request. PROUD TO BE ONE OF CANADA'S TOP 100 EMPLOYERS & MANITOBA'S TOP EMPLOYERS FOR 8 CONSECUTIVE YEARS 16 As one of the largest employers in the province, Manitoba Hydro offers new and existing employees something not so common in today's job market — the chance to find a lasting career with a company that's dedicated to working with staff to make sure they're reaching their highest potential. With just shy of 6,000 employees, Manitoba Hydro has employees working in nearly every corner of the province. And the types of jobs available through Hydro are just as wide-ranging as the communities they serve.

• Cover