Eleven Graduate from Power Plant Fundamentals School

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“I didn't have any benefits at all,”

he said.

“I didn't have paid vacation. I didn't have paid sick leave. I couldn't afford the health benefits. It was over a thousand bucks a month for my family so none of that stuff was an option. So now working here, it's a big luxury.”

Josh Begay, 33, said he already had a good job in Price, Utah, when he applied. Both he and his wife were fulltime students and he was set on a career track. But when he got an email from his cousin saying he knew Josh always wanted to live near Lake Powell, he realized this was his opportunity for a big change.

“Here's a chance to live here, making good money, provide for your family,”

Begay said.

“So I just decided to apply for it so we could live in Page.”

Immediately after graduation, the graduates began a Safety Week, which emphasizes the Navajo Generating Station's commitment to safety first.

Once on the job, those assigned to the Black Mesa-Lake Powell Railroad and the Maintenance Department continue specific training with another three week course. Those assigned to the Operations Department continue with a five week course.

Among the recent graduates assigned to the Railroad Department are Omar Moreno, Sean Clark, Shane Tsosie, Greg Bazan, Pepper Morgan, Wilson Laughter and Jack Eltsosie.

Those assigned to the Maintenance Department are Joseph Claw, Antonio Smith, Myron Deel and Josh Begay.

Mike Woods, manager of New Employee Development, said the Navajo Generating Station has hired 272 employees over the last 10 years - all of them Navajo or Navajo preference.

Currently, 451- or 84 percent - of the Navajo Generating Station's 536 employees are Navajo.

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posted July 21, 2012 7:50 am edt