You wouldn't normally think of an aging workforce and decaying
infrastructure as good things, but if you're looking for a stable job
right now,
Toronto Hydro's challenge could be your opportunity.
The utility, which has a huge number of employees with more than 30
years of experience (and therefore approaching retirement) and a plant that needs rebuilding, is engaging in a
massive, ongoing hiring and training program to ensure it is able to
maintain its services. The jobs are trades work, including power line
apprentices and meter mechanics. "We're hiring for two reasons - to
ramp up our staffing to ensure we have a knowledgeable workforce [and] that
we can complete the knowledge transfer, as well as to deal with the
infrastructure by changing our plant," says Jodi Engel, who manages the
company's trade school as well as organizational development. Toronto
Hydro has hired more than 120 trades workers in the past six years, and are
looking to hire 100 or more in 2010, according to Engel. She says they
will continue to hire for for the next four or five years.
I takes about 4.5 years to train an apprentice - though Toronto Hydro
is the only Ontario municipal utility accredited to administer its own
training. Candidates often have a trades background, but its not
entirely necessary. However, a high-school diploma is required, as is
some knowledge of electrical theory.
Engel says job opportunities are usually posted on
Toronto Hydro's website.
Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Jodi Engel, Manager of Organizational Development and Performance, Toronto Hydro