Dan Shiels is the Technical Recruitment Officer at MHI. Dan is responsible for staffing all international projects, and working to improve the quality and quantity of resumes in the company’s staffing database. Dan began his post-retirement career at MHI 9 years ago, after his 37-year career with Manitoba Hydro.
Tell us a little bit about your work history with Manitoba Hydro and MHI.
At Manitoba Hydro, I started as an electrical maintenance trainee and travelled around the province. I moved on to operating in Gillam, and then to maintenance and construction on the HVDC system. When I returned to Winnipeg, I worked in station design and then commissioning. I ended my career as a section head for day-ahead operational planning at the Control Centre.
My first position with MHI was in Mozambique. I visited the country for two weeks every quarter, and was responsible for Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and finance monitoring. I also worked in East Timor and Liberia to set up a KPI monitoring program.
In 2010, my wife and I moved to Saudi Arabia so I could take over as the general manager of the project. I returned to Winnipeg in 2015 to begin my new role as a Technical Recruitment Officer.
What have you gained professionally from working for MHI?
My work in Saudi Arabia has greatly enhanced my leadership skills and strengthened my confidence. My organizational skills have been tested to the limit, and I have become more tolerant and patient.
What have you gained personally from working for MHI?
I have created some extremely close friends from all over the world, and I continue to stay in touch with many of my Saudi friends. My wife and I created tremendously close friendships with many of our team members, and about 25 of us still meet once a year for dinner. My family had the opportunity to experience the world, and we saw many corners of the earth — thanks to my travels with MHI.
What are some of the benefits of working for MHI?
Being a retiree, MHI has allowed me to extend my working career for another 10 years. It has provided me with an opportunity to give something back, and it is very rewarding to watch less experienced staff learn Manitoba Hydro’s experience.
How would you describe working at MHI?
This is a tremendous opportunity for families looking for an adventure. The work is challenging yet very rewarding. You may be half way around the world; however, coming home to a family after work makes work in a faraway country seem normal. Engaging in different cultures is an experience you will never forget.
Dan and his wife, Judy, at the Taj Mahal in India