Manitoba's Top Employers (2026) Magazine - Magazine - Page 32
MANITOBA’S TOP EMPLOYERS (2026)
32
Hydro employees deliver energy for life in Manitoba
R
yan Ault was working
as a long-distance
truck driver when he
was approached by
a Manitoba Hydro
recruiter at a service station in
Misipawistik Cree Nation, of
which he is a proud member. “A
recruiter I knew told me about
the Indigenous pre-placement
program for candidates in the
North,” says Ault, now manager of
waterways programming.
The province generates
a lot of electricity in
the North. We want to
create opportunities for
people to work close to
where they live.
— Jamie Hanly
Vice-President, People, Safety,
Health and Wellness
Ault was accepted into Manitoba
Hydro’s Indigenous power
line technician pre-placement
program, and went to Winnipeg to
upgrade his knowledge of physics
as part of the program. “It was my
first experience with the trades
and, after six months, I was accepted into the regular program,”
he says. That was 25 years ago, and
Ault has never looked back.
Manitoba Hydro is owned and
operated by Manitobans. Over
5,000 employees provide safe,
affordable and reliable energy to
homes and businesses throughout
the province.
Jamie Hanly, vice-president,
people, safety, health and
wellness, says Manitoba Hydro
Employees at Manitoba Hydro are provided with a wide variety of training, development, and career
opportunities.
has various upgrading programs
for people living north of the 53rd
parallel, and others. “The province
generates a lot of electricity in the
North. We want to create opportunities for people to work close to
where they live,” she says.
Ault did rotational training in
various locations during the four
years it took to attain his journeyperson certificate. He then worked
as an assistant district operator in
Lynn Lake and eventually moved
his family from Misipawistik Cree
Nation to the Island Lake First
Nations area to provide distribution services.
When Ault was ready to start
on a supervisory path, Manitoba
Hydro supported him in taking
a certificate in applied management through the University of
Manitoba. He had moved south
for a supervisory role which led
to positions with progressively
greater responsibility. Now, he is a
department manager.
“I wouldn’t be here today if
it wasn’t for Manitoba Hydro’s
succession planning,” says Ault.
“I’ve been offered development
and opportunities to try something different — from line trades
to Indigenous and community
relations to management.”
Along with his training, Ault
feels the skills and knowledge he
gained from growing up in the
North are recognized by leaders.
He gives an example of being
asked to operate a track machine
by someone who knew he came
from a commercial fishing
background.
Ault has also had the opportunity to give input. He has been asked
to provide his northern perspective to the company’s Northern
Recruitment and Retention
Committee. Ault shares his
appreciation for the lifestyle in the
North along with his perspective
on work.
“I enjoy the outdoors,” says
