Tava Blake finds her spark working on the power line

In a male dominated field that most woman shy away from, Tava Blake is on a mission to excel.

The 24-year-old is the first female line worker assigned to the Jamaica Public Service's (JPS) St Catherine division, and although she has only been on the job for just three weeks, she is already making a mark and playing her part.

When THE STAR visited Blake on a job at Rome Avenue in Portmore, the Spanish Town native did not hesitate to get her hands dirty. So with her yellow hard hat, brown steel toe shoes and yellow and orange gloves, Blake quickly grabbed a shovel almost twice her height, and started helping to dig a six-foot hole where a 40-foot post will be placed.

She told THE STAR that although some may see her job as dangerous, it's perfect for her because it is a hands-on job.

"It is dangerous but nonetheless I still enjoy this job," Blake said. "To be honest, I just feel like this is something for me, something that I love doing because I don't like the office work. I'm a more technical person so the office thing, sit around desk and you know, type, not my type a thing."

She also said that what she enjoys the most about her job is the practical part, learning about the devices JPS has on its system - including the transformers - and seeing how they work. Blake said that she always had a love for the technical subjects.

"I always love electrical in high school and this is something close to electrical, power generation, distribution system and all of that," Blake said, adding that although the profession was not her first choice, it became her true love.

"I was introduced to this career by a friend. I fell in love with it and I got an opportunity to apply for the lineman apprenticeship programme and I got through luckily, and here I am," Blake said. She had to complete 10 weeks of training at the Learning Development Institute, and also completed her Associate's Degree in engineering technology at Portmore Community College. Blake is a proud past student of the Jonathan Grant High School where she acquired eight subjects with grades two and three.

Blake said that although her job is dangerous, she is fearless because she enjoys it and takes all the necessary precautions to keep herself and her co-workers safe.

"This is something that I love, so regardless of the fear and the difficulties ... that doesn't faze me in any sort a way," she said. "Based on what I have been trained to go about doing my work, I don't think there is anything to be afraid of." She admitted that the training was not easy.

"We had to climb the poles and sometimes yuh probably did tired from yesterday, so you have to come with enough energy to go about climbing the pole, you know, ensure that anything you have learnt, yuh come back with that knowledge the following day to be a better person," Blake said.

She encouraged young girls considering a career as a line worker not to hesitate to try it.

"No matter the area, you can do it as much as how the males have done it," Blake said, adding that one day she hopes to climb the ranks to become a journey man, whose responsibility is to supervise line workers.