Career Profile - Electrician
Riley Cuscito
Riley Cuscito graduated from Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute and after high school enrolled in the 10-month pre-employment program at Red River College to begin studies as an electrician. He earned an honours diploma from RRC as a construction electrician then completed the four-year apprenticeship program becoming a Red Seal certified journeyman electrician.
Riley’s extensive education and training was a labour of love. “Right from a young age, I was always interested in building things, taking them apart and seeing how they worked,” said Cuscito. “I knew I wanted to be involved in a hands-on career.”
In grade 9, Riley volunteered with the sound & light crew for school auditorium events and learned a wide variety of skills. “I was introduced to tasks such as how to provide power and operate lighting, amplifiers and sound systems,” said Cuscito. “I credit my time on the school’s tech crew with helping in my decision to become an electrician.”
Currently, Riley is employed as a construction electrician which involves interpreting engineered drawings, wiring devices in walls, installing electrical conduit, pulling wire, and installing motors, transformers, panels, lights, fire alarm systems, emergency light and power systems. “I’ve worked on some amazing projects such as the MTS IcePlex, a student residence at the University of Manitoba, and the Disraeli Bridge.”
Riley says getting the job done and doing it right is his main focus. “Being able to say, ‘Yes, I built that’ is the best part of the job,” he stated. “Being able to see how your hard work contributes to something constructive is very rewarding. And the money is good too.”
The value of working hard was instilled by Riley’s father. “I’ve always looked up to my dad as a role model. He taught me the meaning of hard work, and to take nothing for granted. Life is all about opportunity, and you will only get out what you put in.”
For more information about careers in construction, visit: www.mbcsc.com
