PRHP Delivers Keynote Speech at the Youth Changing Tomorrow Conference at Northern Lights College

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PRHP delivered the inspirational keynote at the Youth Changing Tomorrow Conference on February 27, 2020 to a crowd of more than 100 local students.  Represented by Luara Echevarria Agra, Natasha Smilovic, Alison MacMaster, Rob Strachan, and Jamie Bodnarchuk, PRHP spoke about leadership, vision, and focus.

The conference put on by the City of FSJ and the Youth Advisory Council, kicked off with a spirited dance performance by Indigenous dancers from the local Peace Region and was followed by an emotional speech by FSJ Mayor, Lori Ackerman.

PRHP took the stage just after 10 a.m. to deliver the hour-long keynote.

 

 

 

In keeping with tradition, PRHP borrowed an important segment from their onsite toolbox talks and started off the presentation by leading students through a Stretch&Flex.

 

 

 

 

 

The panel concluded their discussion by talking about leadership, success, and what they have learned along the way.

 

Alison defined leadership as embracing responsibilities, providing support, and helping the team succeed.

 

Natasha thoughtfully pointed out that leadership is not about rank, and that there are leaders in every role at every level regardless of whether the word leader or manager is in their job title.

 

Rob positioned leadership as a balance of credibility.  He asked students to think of credibility like a bank account, with each action either increasing or decreasing your balance.

 

Jamie added that leadership is about trust, and that it’s hard to lead when no one follows.

She explained how competent leadership inspires loyalty from your team, and used a driving analogy:  Your teammates are your passengers – leadership is about your passengers being confident in your driving ability, and also in your ability to handle any road conditions.  They trust you will get them to the destination successfully so they are happy to come along for the ride.

 

Luara summed up by noting how important it is for leaders to know the strengths of their team members to help them grow.

 

 

The group concluded with another quick stretch&flex before presenting Northern Lights College with a cheque for $35,000 to create a second scholarship for Peace Region students.

 

 

Lindsey and Loren from Northern Lights College were in attendance to accept the cheque.

Funds will benefit students who have graduated high school within the Peace Region and wish to study construction or the trades.  Recipients will be split equally between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous students.

 

 

PRHP completes three of the four inlet and outlet portal towers to house the tunnels’ mechanical gates.

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The Structures team comprised of Craft, Field Engineers, Superintendents and Managers, came together and worked tireless 12 hour day and night shifts, through the coldest months that the Peace Region could offer, to complete the structures. If working through the cold was not challenging enough, the Structures team had to navigate interfaces with other critical work in the tunnels adding another layer of difficulty. The Structures team worked through Christmas to ensure the completion of the milestone and pressed forward into the new year to achieve its milestone targets.

 

Co ngratulations to all for their great work!

Peace River Hydro Partners Creates 2nd $35,000 Scholarship at Northern Lights College

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Scholarship created to support students pursuing careers in construction

Fort St John — February 28, 2020 — Peace River Hydro Partners was at Northern Lights College on February 27 to announce the creation of a second scholarship for students interested in pursuing a career in construction and trades related fields.  Following the keynote speech at the Youth Changing Tomorrow Conference, a $35,000 cheque was presented to Northern Lights College.  PRHP continues to strongly support education and remains committed to helping youth work towards a better tomorrow.

Peace River Hydro Partners, a joint venture between ACCIONA and Samsung C&T, holds the Main Civil Works Contract on BC Hydro’s Site C Clean Energy Project.  The construction industry is one of the largest employers in Canada, and demand for workers is increasing as a large segment of workers approach retirement. Labour shortages are a concern in the industry.

The announcement came as a follow up from the previous scholarship announcement last fall.  Where the previous scholarship was geared toward women, this scholarship will be open to all students.  The scholarship will serve as a legacy to help local Peace region students long after the Site C project has been completed. “The challenge with education is that, although it’s very valuable, it’s not always accessible to everyone,” noted Jamie Bodnarchuk. “Students must invest not only their time, but also some money. We realized we can help with that.”

Peace River Hydro Partners, represented by Communications Manager Jame Bodnarchuk, Construction Safety Officer Luara Echevarria Agra, Environmental Monitor&Technical Writer Alison MacMaster, Structural Superintendent Natasha Smilovic, and RCC Lead Engineer Rob Strachan presented the cheque to Northern Lights College, represented by NLC Foundation Executive Director Lindsey Borek and VP of Academic & Research Loren Lovegreen following the nearly hour-long keynote speech about leadership, vision, and focus.  PRHP would like to extend a very special thank you to the Youth Advisory Council, the City of Fort St John, and all those who helped to organize this outstanding conference as well as Northern Lights College for graciously hosting the event.  Audio and video courtesy of Eaglevision Video Productions Ltd and Sound in Town.