The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) Electricity Business Unit hosted its much-anticipated Line-worker Rodeo, yesterday, bringing together skilled workers to compete in a series of technical challenges that showcased their expertise and precision.
The event at the Rising Sun Grounds, ran from 10am to 5pm and marked the return of APUA’s own line-worker competition after a hiatus since 2009. Spectators, including students, witnessed first-hand the complex skills required to maintain the island’s electrical infrastructure. They were also provided with information about potential career paths.
“It’s always good when you can have these sorts of activities where our team members can compete on a softer level. But in 2009, APUA hosted a rodeo and there had been a pause between that,” Anazette Reynolds, corporate communications officer at APUA said.
Reynolds explained that last year’s regional utility rodeo hosted in Antigua served as inspiration for reviving the local competition.
“Last year, CARILEC [Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation], which is the regional utility body, hosted the regional CARILEC rodeo in Antigua, and from that, it inspired us to start having our own APUA rodeo,” she noted.
The event was more than just an internal contest.
According to organisers, Friday’s rodeo served as qualifying rounds to determine which lineworkers will represent Antigua at the upcoming regional competition.
“The best of the best would then represent Antigua and APUA in the regional rodeo that’s happening next month in the BVI,” Reynolds said.
Girvan Pigott, customer service supervisor at APUA, underscored the educational value of the event for the wider community.
“What we’re doing here is actually to educate the public. It is a competition, yes, but it is an education to the public so that they can see exactly what it takes, what’s required, and what safety procedures that we must follow to execute our job on a day-to-day basis,” Pigott said.
The event featured various challenges designed to test the line-workers’ knowledge, precision, and teamwork in conditions that simulate their real-world responsibilities. Participants demonstrated techniques including pole climbing, equipment installation, and emergency response procedures while being evaluated on both speed and adherence to safety protocols.
“I think this exposes them to see that APUA actually has something interesting that they’d be interested in doing. There’s a lot of subjects that incorporate APUA for children—you talk about physics, mathematics, English, because you have to communicate well,” he said, addressing the students who were on hand to observe the competition.
The event highlighted the intersection of technical skill, physical stamina, and safety awareness required in utility work—elements often unseen by the public despite their reliance on these essential services.
“In terms of what we do here at APUA, I think it’s a benefit to the community. What we’re doing here in terms of showcasing just a few things that we do on a day-to-day basis is quite instrumental and quite beneficial,” Pigott added.
The revival of the APUA Line-worker Rodeo represents not only a commitment to professional development and excellence within the utility company but also strengthens the connection between APUA and the community it serves.
As the winners prepare to represent Antigua at the regional competition in the British Virgin Islands next month, they will carry with them not just technical expertise but community pride.
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