Nadra Waugh has got the power - JPS electrician making her mark in male-dominated field

When it comes to the engineering of electrical power, Nadra Waugh is a force to be reckoned with.

One of the few women in the male dominated field, Waugh has worked hard to prove herself and is a proud engineer with 21 years of experience at the Jamaica Public Service (JPS). Currently, she plans and executes projects that see to the replacement or addition of equipment in the substations. But Waugh has also worked on power lines.

With her steal-toe boots and helmet on Waugh took THE STAR on a tour of a job site at the company's Duhaney substation in St Andrew. At the front gate was a bold red sign which read 'Danger 138,000 volts', but the 44-year-old veteran fearlessly opened the gates and walked with confidence to complete her tasks for the day. Waugh is the only female of 16 technical workers in her department. She told THE STAR that although what she does is challenging, she fully enjoys it.

"I like to see the transformation. So even though the process might be challenging, the end result is the beauty, to know that we as a team were able to pull together and achieve that success," Waugh said. "The most difficult aspect can be obtaining resources. So having planned to carry out a task, the resource might have other competing activities that they will have to pursue."

"If these human resources both internally and contracted are otherwise engaged, or not available, then that would be a big challenge to have our activities accomplished within schedule and within budget," Waugh added. Equipment breaking down is also a hindrance, as it can severely slow down the process of restoring power to customers.

"Those can be challenging but we always find a way to make something work," Waugh said.

To become an engineer, Waugh spent three years studying to acquire her diploma in electrical engineering in power. Then she did an accelerated degree for almost two years, both of which she acquired from the University of Technology (UTech) Jamaica. Waugh also has a master's degree from the university in electrical engineering in power.

She admitted that her job can be very dangerous because there is the possibility of electrocution or a deadly fall from heights. However, Waugh ensures that she follows all safety measures and wears the proper protective gear.

Waugh did not always want to be an engineer but had a great love for subjects like physics and always wanted to do something of a more technical nature.

"I had a great appreciation of physics when it came to the science subjects so engineering was my next option around that line," Waugh said. She added that despite what she has heard about the treatment of women in the past, things have changed.

"The men have embraced us. There are quite a number of female engineers. When I started back in 2002, the number was very small, but it has increased with time and we are treated quite well among our male colleagues here at JPS, and I like to believe that extends to other companies," Waugh said.

She also encouraged young girls interested in engineering to appreciate the science, "then you'll be able to pursue the studies required".

"Having achieved the studies, go out and get your experience. Don't be discouraged even though it may be a male-dominated field," Waugh said. Despite growing numbers, Waugh said she does not believe that enough women are in the field, and called for more to come on board because they pay greater attention to detail.

"There is a window from that perspective in terms of the detail that women have naturally that they can complement the field to help uphold safety, and hopefully also improve efficiency," Waugh said.