Oct 18, 2017 - hydroelectric power â after all, the area is home to several hydro facilities, ... put off the idea of
Our People: Katie Caughey Growing up in Renfrew in eastern Ontario, Katie Caughey was well acquainted with hydroelectric power – after all, the area is home to several hydro facilities, from Chenaux Generating Station (GS) to Arnprior GS. But Caughey always put off the idea of actually working at one of OPG’s hydroelectric stations as just a pipe dream. That all changed a few years ago, though, when she gave serious thought to her future career. “I was dead set on becoming a paramedic,” Caughey recalled. “Then I took a step back and looked at the future prospects of the career and reassessed the situation.” After mulling her options, she left the paramedic program at St. Lawrence College to enroll in office administration at Algonquin College’s Pembroke campus. At the urging of an uncle, a former operator at Chenaux, she applied and was accepted for a summer placement in 2015 at OPG’s Renfrew office, headquarters for the company’s eastern operations. She soon parlayed that experience into a full-time clerical support role at the Renfrew office, where she dealt with documentation and databases. And earlier this year, Caughey was hired on as a General Tradesperson at Barrett Chute GS.
Employee Spotlight Katie Caughey Position: General Tradesperson Work location: Barrett Chute Generating Station Years served: Two Favourite book: The Shack by William P. Young Favourite place to visit in Ontario: Barron Canyon at Algonquin Park Favourite weekend activity: Exploring different municipalities in Ontario
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By her own admission, the two jobs are completely different. But she says having the background knowledge of the documenting and office processes has helped her transition into the new role. She’s now receiving on-the-ground training through job shadowing and is soaking in as much information as she can. “I was a little bit nervous coming here with my background in clerical. I didn’t have much experience in the trades,” Caughey said. “But I’m learning quickly, and everyone has been so welcoming and generous so it’s been an easy move.” As a General Tradesperson, Caughey is a member of the mechanical crew that helps maintain Barrett Chute GS as well as Mountain Chute GS, Calabogie GS and two water control structures on the Upper Madawaska River. Her work includes janitorial, grounds maintenance, water management, dam safety compliance, and participating in public safety spill inspections. “I love being in nature so it really helps being on the water every day,” she said. “That’s right up my alley.” As the only female tradesperson at Barrett Chute, Caughey is also breaking down gender barriers. She’s now working to raise the profile of women in trades as a member of the Eastern Operations diversity committee, which she was voted on to this past summer. Looking ahead, Caughey hopes to continue to fit in and make the best of her unexpected career in hydro. “Right now I’m just taking a look at the job and trying to figure out what education I need to take to go further,” she said.
