A 23-Year Veteran Electrician from Astana Shares His Story

The last Sunday of September in Kazakhstan marks Labor Day. As we approach this celebration, it's essential to highlight professions that demand not only skill but also significant responsibility. The work of an electrician definitely falls into this category, as mistakes can be unforgiving. Yeryk Ibraev, a fifth-grade electrician at Saryarka RES of JSC "Astana-REK," who has dedicated 23 years to this trade, shares insights into his work, reports ЖКХ24, citing the Astana City Akimat website.

Yeryk Sultanovich has been working as a fifth-grade electrician at JSC "Astana-REK" since 2003. Over more than 23 years, he has gained a deep understanding of his profession, which he describes as one of the most challenging and hazardous.

"There's electricity everywhere, so you have to work very carefully and always follow safety procedures," the specialist notes.

He was drawn to the profession after witnessing electricians at work. Impressed by how these professionals handled their tasks, he decided to try his hand at it, and since then, the trade has become an integral part of his life.

An electrician's workday primarily revolves around requests received through the dispatch service. The specialists address cable line faults, perform necessary switching, and handle emergency repairs.

Thanks to equipment upgrades, serious outages are now less frequent, although they can never be entirely ruled out.

"We have new, high-quality equipment now, so there are fewer emergencies. But when a fault occurs, we go out and fix it," the electrician explains.

Particularly during emergencies, electricians bear a great deal of responsibility. They must be ready to work at any hour and in various weather conditions – from summer heat to severe frosts, blizzards, and strong winds. If the power supply needs to be restored, the team heads out regardless of the time.

Yeryk Ibraev usually works with a team of five, including a master and electricians. According to him, teamwork is one of the profession's greatest values.

"We have good crews, good relationships between people and with management. We help each other," he notes.

An electrician's role isn't limited to technical tasks. Specialists also engage with residents. Occasionally, during scheduled maintenance, the power supply has to be temporarily switched off.

This can sometimes cause dissatisfaction among city residents, yet it’s the specialists’ duty to explain why such work is necessary.

"Sometimes, people don't understand why the power was cut off and may complain. We explain that these are planned works, preparing for winter. It’ll be fine in winter, without outages. When you explain, people understand," he says.

Residents also turn to electricians for help with everyday issues, especially in private sectors where they might face circuit breaker trips or other power supply problems. The specialists assist by evaluating the situation, checking the equipment, and explaining the cause.

The profession itself has evolved over the years. Modern equipment demands that specialists undergo continuous training. Electricians regularly train and take exams.

At the same time, the profession remains in demand. New young specialists join the workforce, learning practical skills directly in the teams. Experienced staff pass on their knowledge and explain the nuances of working with electrical equipment.

"Young people come after university. We show them everything, explain, and teach them as they work. Electricity is no joke; you can't work here without knowing the rules," he emphasizes.

After the workday, Yeryk Sultanovich prefers to relax in nature. He enjoys fishing and trips to Borovoye. Yet even after more than two decades, he continues to see his profession as a vital part of his life.

Behind the stability of urban infrastructure are people prepared to work day and night, in heat and frost, bringing light back to places waiting for it.

Photo: gov.kz