Meet Some Apprentices
Chuck Doxtator
In most trades in the construction industry on a daily basis you’re likely to see a jungle of steel girders. But for Chuck Doxtator, a 26-year-old apprentice training to become a certified lineman, the sights of nature and fresh air are pretty common. “It’s always fun to find a new tower line and use the trails. Some of the things you see are pretty amazing,” he says.
During his two years apprenticing Chuck has seen bears, moose and even turtles laying eggs in the course of his workday. Travelling deep in the uppermost regions of Ontario to forge new power lines he feels privileged to experience nature in its rawest form. “Stuff like that you don’t get to see in your daily life,” he says.
While the travel is exciting, Chuck says it’s hard to leave his family, especially his 2-year-old daughter, but he says, “It makes it that much better when I get home and we get to spend all weekend together.”
Nolenn Martin
As a former hull technician in the Navy, jumping out of helicopters and repelling to the ground, Nolenn Martin found the transition to an apprentice lineman for HydroOne simple. The 26-year-old Ohsweken native barely bats an eye at the thought of climbing 100-foot hydro poles suspended only by harnesses and belts.
“It’s a pretty good trade, pretty busy all the time, you don’t really know what you’re going to be doing from one day to the next,” he says. Since beginning his training in September 2005, it’s typical for Nolenn, now a first year apprentice, to find himself climbing poles or towers to change conductor wire, setting hydro poles or changing steel.
The family-feel of the trade offers opportunities for him to learn from a variety of journeyman all the while feeling a great sense of camaraderie. “It’s pretty well like your family, you’re there with them 10 hours a day 7 days a week sometimes, so you see them more than you see your family,” he laughs”
Rustin Johnson
“It’s pretty much my ideal job, took me a long time to find it though,” explains Rustin Johnson, a first year power line technician operator apprentice. At age 31 Rustin has experienced many different types of trades from carpentry to general construction and millwrighting, but none seemed to stick with him as much as power line construction.
“We get to ride around in the bush on four-wheelers, ATVs and I get to travel,” says Rustin, adding that as an outdoors person he enjoys the opportunity to work in the fresh air and sunlight. While most would shy away from climbing 100-foot hydro poles, Rustin laughs it off saying, “It’s just like climbing trees.”
While all the work is regulated and safety is at the utmost priority, Rustin stresses the importance of communication among workers. “Everyone has to keep on their toes and talk to each other. You have to know your partner and what you’re doing.”