Quotables:

• For students who enjoy physical, outdoor work that can lead to a full-time career down the road, SaskPower offers a high school summer student labourer program.
• “The summer student program was an amazing experience to see what the trade is about.”
• We’re now accepting applications for summer student labourers across the province.

Planning for life after high school can be challenging – there are a lot of choices out there! But for students who enjoy physical, outdoor work that can lead to a full-time career down the road, SaskPower offers a high school summer student labourer program.

This program gives students the chance to experience the powerline technician (PLT) trade firsthand. It’s part of our commitment to help young people learn about meaningful, in‑demand careers in the utility sector.

Jacob Tollefson is a PLT apprentice at SaskPower, and a successful participant of the student labourer  program. He grew up in Weyburn and was drawn to apply for the program to find a worthwhile summer experience.

“I thought trying out SaskPower would be a cool experience. I also had people who worked (as a PLT) say that it would be an awesome opportunity,” he explained.

A PLT builds, maintains, and repairs the power lines and equipment that keep electricity flowing to homes, schools, hospitals, farms, and businesses across Saskatchewan. It’s a hands-on, high impact trade for people who like outdoor physical work, problem solving, and being part of a team that keeps communities powered.

“I didn’t really know what to expect from the program, as I didn’t have much of an idea of what a day looks like (as a PLT). I had lots of fun and got to learn tons about what happens to build and maintain new structures and lines.

“I also got to experience lots of no power calls and storm calls, which showed me how things can really pick up quickly.”

After finishing the summer student program, Jacob worked as a labourer for three months before attending SaskPower’s Skills Assessment and Trade Orientation (SATO). After successfully completing the course, he worked in Weyburn before joining a crew in Lipton. Later this year, he’ll head to Estevan for his apprenticeship.

“My advice to someone thinking about applying is to just do it. This trade was something I had not even thought about until my time as a summer student, but I am very glad I tried it. The summer student program was an amazing experience to see what the trade is about.”

Does this sound like the career path for you? There are a few options to gain experience as a labourer. It’s a perfect opportunity for students wanting to explore the PLT trade while attending school.

As a student labourer, you’ll:

• work outdoors in real field conditions — no desk work.
• support crews with day‑to‑day tasks while learning how power systems are built and maintained.
• observe and assist experienced PLTs as they climb poles, work with specialized tools, operate equipment, and ensure safety in all conditions.
• take part in hands‑on training and learn how crews work together to keep the electrical grid safe and reliable.
• build basic skills that can help you pursue an apprenticeship after graduation.

To learn more, visit Power Line Technicians.

The application can be found at High School Summer Student - Labourer Job Details.

Learn More:

• Power Line Technicians
• Careers