Hydro Station Operator - Ernie

SaskPower veteran

17 years ago, Ernie Berg could not have imagined that he would go from journeyman mechanic to industrial mechanic and hydro station operator, but that's exactly what he did.

With almost 17 years of experience under his belt, Ernie Berg is a SaskPower veteran. Although he started as a journeyman mechanic, Berg has expanded his skills considerably and is now a dual-trades industrial mechanic/hydro station operator at E.B. Campbell Power Station.

On his operating shift, Berg is always busy monitoring the station, and has to be ready to respond at a moment's notice.

"We do our plant rounds, we check over the units and make sure everything is running," explains Berg in regard to his operating shift.

Just do it

For Berg, emergency calls are the most challenging aspect of his job.

"We come out, we investigate, find out what the problem is," says Berg. "If it's a matter of low oil, or a filter plugged up, we just do it (because we are mechanics too)."

"You have to do [your job] to the best of your abilities. And I like to take pride in my work," says Berg, on how he approaches emergency situations.

Why SaskPower?

I really do like my operating. It can be routine but it can be off the wall too.

Berg became dual-trade in 2000. Already a journeyman mechanic, it took two years of training for him to become a certified hydro operator. Now he can't decide which he likes more.

"I really do like my operating. It can be routine but it can be off the wall too." says Berg. "The travelling makes the mechanic end of it interesting."