[ad_1]
With the help of the Ministry of Social Development Mashi’s Mana After the program ended, Watts was employed by Hawke’s Bay infrastructure company Tūpore last year.
She had never been an excavator or truck driver, so she had to start as a laborer. However, she was given the opportunity to obtain a truck driver’s license, which gave her a valuable skill.
“I decided I wanted to get my license, so when I got a job I was going to throw myself into it and make the big bucks.
“My work at Tupore is my most valuable and rewarding achievement because everything just fell into place.”
Watts’ journey into this male-dominated profession began when she was a child, when she saw her father and uncle driving trucks and looked up to them as role models.
Heavy machinery is also her profession now.
“While I mainly focus on truck driving, I am equally passionate about driving dump trucks, excavators and loaders,” the 50-year-old told Hawke’s Bay Today.
Watts is about to have her first annual review at the company, and her only regret is that she didn’t get this job sooner.
She attributes much of her personal growth to breaking away from people, places, and things that didn’t align with her future goals.
“I took the time to really improve myself. It really matters who you surround yourself with. If you can’t keep good people around you, then you really have to go it alone.”
Watts also thanked Tupore’s leadership team and her male colleagues who have supported her and many women like her to thrive in their work.
“We think of it as a canoe. We had a guy named Gavin, who was a very strong, successful guy, and we gave him a canoe paddle.
“We support him. Because he has such a great outlook on life, we support him.”
Women aren’t the only ones working in heavy industry. Watts said she has also seen a resurgence in the number of female drivers in the Hawke’s Bay region, taking the same steps as she did to find equally rewarding careers.
“I also have an excavator operator sitting next to me in my truck and we started this journey together. We completed our Level 2 training together and are now both working for the same company and doing really well.”
Her advice to others who may be struggling is to believe in themselves and not be afraid to ask for help.
“Once you take the first step and decide to get into this industry, everything will fall into place.
“If you’re having a hard time, just ask for help because there are some really strong support networks out there. I can’t believe it; the next 50 years are like a whole new chapter for me, which is really exciting.”
Mitchell Hageman joined Hawke’s Bay Today in January 2023. Based in Napier, he writes regularly about social issues, arts and culture, and community. He particularly enjoys telling stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
[ad_2]
Source link
