Alfred Thompson walked into the classroom this past spring for the first time in 11 years - and this time, rather than a student, he was the instructor.
In 2014, Thompson took the Electrical program at the RRC Polytech campus in Fisher River Cree Nation. His interest in the industry grew from the problem solving and independence he gained while working hands-on and the satisfaction of seeing results firsthand. Today, he's in Peguis First Nation, teaching 14 students in the same five-month Electrical program being offered in community from April - November 2025 with extra time to incorporate student success strategies, including Elder support and Teachings.
Thompson recalls that while taking trades courses in high school, building circuitry and making calculations came naturally to him and he enjoyed seeing how his work could be immediately applied - like setting up a simple motor and watching it spin or building a small circuit board where every connection worked as planned.
As a student at RRC Polytech, he says that the skills he cultivated and the knowledge he obtained contributed to how quickly he was hired after graduation. He gained a strong foundation in electrical safety, mathematics, and residential wiring while developing practical skills in troubleshooting, blueprint reading, and applying the Canadian Electrical Code - skills that prepared him for both industry work and, eventually, teaching.
Thompson worked in Fairford for a local electrical company for a few years before moving on to AAA, where he continued as an electrician. His career progressed to construction, where he traveled hours by car and by plane to work in northern communities installing electrical systems in new buildings and maintaining or repairing existing wiring.
Thompson credits a friend of his for referring him to the job posting with RRC Polytech to teach the very same program that he had taken 11 years earlier.
"[Teaching is] pretty good - I'm myself around the students now. That first day, though, I was practicing before, and I was like, oh man, I'm really gonna just go talk like this in front of other people.' I was so nervous," said Thompson.
Thompson recounts that while he was considering how to approach teaching, he realized that it was more than just explaining how to solder wires to a circuit or how to navigate issues within an electrical system - teaching involved an entirely new skillset.
"I had to think back on how my own teachers did it to really get down to it, then it all made sense. I started just laying down that knowledge," said Thompson.
Thompson shaped his teaching approach to focus on clear, step-by-step instruction, hands-on practice, and connecting theory to real-world applications based on reflection of his own experiences as a student.
He started his first classes with safety basics and moved into the code book, introducing one concept at a time before applying mathematical principles to assignments and projects. Thompson recalls how, in demonstration, he had taken a piece of paper and drawn a step-by-step visual for wiring a plug, which he had the students duplicate in their own drawings. From that simple demonstration to now, when the class is in the full swing of their projects, Thompson says the students have built the skills to tackle their work with great proficiency. Seeing those students succeed in their studies, like he had 11 years ago, fills Thompson with confidence.
Electrical student Christian Guillard said that joining the program in Peguis was a spur-of-the-moment decision when he was considering new opportunities for professional training.
"I have a background in physics so I was more familiar with theory than practice. I've found that Alfred's good at explaining and demonstrating the practical application of electrical systems - the classes started slow at first but now we're doing weekly tests to assess where we are," said Guillard.
Earlier this fall, he developed blueprints for a bedroom and closet to map out the wiring and receptacles - a project he worked on while appreciating the convenience of studying close to his home in Peguis.
Thompson is optimistic about the future and noted that he would be glad to continue teaching if the opportunity remains at RRC Polytech. Alternatively, he says that he can envision heading back to construction or potentially opening his own business.
Being close to home is a huge factor in Thompson's career - he has two young boys, two- and three-years-old, waiting for him at home in Fairford. Thompson says that when he was working construction, he could spend up to ten weeks away from home in remote communities to bring home a pay cheque. These days, he stays in a teacherage in Fisher River Cree Nation after work Tuesday through Friday, and from Friday to Monday, he has the full days with his sons in Fairford.
For Thompson, the journey from student to instructor has come full-circle. It blends his technical expertise, hands-on experience, and personal insight into a teaching approach that equips students with the skills they need and gives him the opportunity to stay close to family. Whether in the classroom or the field, Thompson plans to continue to build on the lessons of his past while helping guide the next generation of electricians.
