From cleaner to linesman: Jimmy’s dedication pays off

By CLARISSA MOI and STANLEY MARK

If you want to get ahead in life, show up to work early, stay late, work hard, be honest and be a problem solver, Wesley Jimmy says.
These are the keys that unlocked Jimmy’s gates to success. Jimmy, 29, from Milne Bay, started off as a cleaner with PNG Power Ltd (PPL) and after five years, he is now a linesman.
recalled his rugged journey from primary school when he travelled away from his family to chase his dream. Leaving mum was the most difficult thing for him as she was suffering from asthma but still struggled to market her goods to support Jimmy and his 10 siblings.
Jimmy had no choice but to make mum proud because he was the only child attending school.
He was selected to do Grade 9 at Watuluma High School, Milne Bay, in 2009. One of his uncles assisted him with K400 which was only one quarter of his total fees. However, Jimmy couldn’t pay his outstanding fees and was removed from school that same year.
No one wanted to assist him but Jimmy did not give up. He decided to find a job and raise some money for his school fees. Jimmy moved on to being a harvester for three months at Padipadi Oil Palm in Alotau. Hoping to get a good education and secure a job, he resigned and went to Port Moresby in April 2010.
Because it was Jimmy’s first time away from Milne Bay, life was a struggle in the city but he was certain that “if there is a will, there is definitely a way”. Jimmy stayed with a cousin at ATS Settlement and wrote job applications to Boroko Motors, Super Value Stores and PPL.
“Since I did not have any qualification, my application letters were literally to do anything, whether it was cleaner or security, as long as I earned little wages for my school-fee savings,” Jimmy said.
PPL called him for an interview the following week. He turned up early for the interview and got employed as a cleaner right away. Jimmy accepted the job offer as a cleaner and started on June 21, 2010. He cleaned around PPL’s national office, cutting, weeding and raking grass.
“I am the seventh child in my family of eleven. I told my family that I would look for opportunities to further my studies. But if I didn’t, I would go back home. As proof, I sent my first fortnight to my mum and family, and my mum was truly happy,” Jimmy recalled.
Jimmy was made permanent after a three-month probation. He turned up at work at 5am and went home at 6pm every day.
Jimmy continued cleaning outside the national office building for a while before moving inside the building at the end of 2010. He cleaned the first floor from 2010 to 2012.
One day, around 6am, as he was about to clean the reception area, then operations and maintenance general manager John Tangit walked in and asked to follow him to his office.
“Mr Tangit always wanted to beat me by coming early to the office but I was always the first person. One morning, as I was mopping, Mr Tangit arrived and asked me to help carry his laptop to his office,” Jimmy recalled.
“He asked what I wanted to do. Without realising what Mr Tangit meant, I told him that I wanted to go and mop the reception area.”
After realising that Mr Tangit was asking him of what he wanted to do with his life, Wesley told his story.
“I wish to complete my formal education. Due to financial constraints, I am working here to save up some money to pay for my school fees and complete my studies,” Jimmy told Tangit.
Tangit told Jimmy that he would go in for linesman training at the PPL Training College in September 2012. What a joy it was for Jimmy!
Jimmy’s attendance at the college was approved by then chief executive Tony Koiri.
Jimmy beat all odds, completing his training and receiving his electrical certificate one in October 2012.
In January 2013, Jimmy was placed with the Port Moresby distribution zone four covering Bomana, 9-Mile and the surrounding areas.
“Just two weeks into my job as an electrician, I touched a live wire at 5-Mile. The fuse body blew up,” Jimmy said.
“The tail was cut off and was hanging so the operations team leader encouraged me to be confident, climb up the pole and do the reconnection. That was an achievement for me. It gave me the confidence in my job later.”
After three months, Jimmy was again sent to the college for lines training level one, then again in 2014 for lines training level two.
After completing his level two training, POM distributions acting manager Paul Sive transferred Jimmy to zone one covering Down Town, Papa, Lealea and Hohola, with a promising package and benefits.
Jimmy kept making his way up slowly and surely. By 2016, he completed all other necessary trainings and graduated with his tradesman certificate.
He was given the title of A-grade linesman in zone one. Jimmy works with a foreman, and trainees and casuals work under them.
Jimmy has proved that anyone can be successful if they humble themselves, start from small and go the extra mile when tasks are given.
Jimmy encouraged young people, who have not completed their education, not to think that leaving school due to funding issues is the end of their dreams.
“There are opportunities out there. Just focus and never give up on your dreams,” he said.
“I thank PNG Power Ltd and its management for realising my efforts and contributions and pushed me to test deeper waters and reach my full potential.
“I also extend my acknowledgement to John Tangit, Paul Sive, work colleagues, PPL trainers and the countless people, including my family who have had their trust in me, who have been supporting and encouraging me not to give up on what I was doing.
“That has taken me a long way to where I am now. Consider the fact that there is someone invisible who sees what we are doing in secret and will reward us.”

• Clarissa Moi is a corporate relations trainee and Stanely Mark is a corporate relations officer. Both are attached to PNG Power Ltd.