"It just made sense." For Jane, becoming a technician was a natural next step.
They say fortune favours the brave, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to find the confidence to change lanes in your career. However, that’s exactly what Tynan Equipment’s Jane Weber did when she followed her curiosity for hands-on problem solving and asked to upskill as a forklift technician.
Jane talks about what was involved in the transition from shipping and receiving to forklift servicing, and reflects on finding her way in a traditionally male-oriented field.
RC: You began working at Tynan in the shipping and receiving department. What made you decide you wanted to become a technician?
JW: It just made sense.
I had started doing simple maintenance on my own car at the time.
I’ve always tried to figure things out and to use logic to problem-solve.
At the same time, I was also becoming familiar with all the various forklift parts at work.
And for nearly 15 years prior to starting at Tynan, I had been driving all kinds of lift trucks (reach trucks, order selectors and stand-up forklifts) in a few different warehouses.
RC: How did you pivot into the new technician role? What was involved in the technical training?
JW: When I first transferred from Tynan’s parts department into the shop I started temporary training as a preventative maintenance technician.
I completed a lot of online training modules through the Hyster-Yale Material Handling (HYMH) Certification Program. These online modules covered various areas of the truck: engines, transmissions, electrical, and so on.
Words of encouragement: "If you're willing and have the mechanical aptitude, go for it."
After completing each module, I would spend two to three days in the workshop at Tynan with my on-site trainers.
It was a mixture of class time and hands-on training in each area, and then a test at the end of each class.
The veteran technicians in the shop taught me more than I ever could have imagined and even after almost four years, I am still learning new things all the time.
Although I had originally set out to be a preventative maintenance technician on the road, I found I liked the prospect of being a service technician instead because of the diversity of repairs.
Now after working in the shop for a while, I’ve decided to take my skills as a service tech on the road!
"The most satisfying part of my job is when I master a particular process on my own, seeing it through from diagnosis to completion."
RC: What are the most satisfying and challenging parts of your job now?
JW: The most satisfying part of my job is when I master a particular process on my own, seeing it through from diagnosis to completion. The most challenging part of my job is when I come across an issue that I’m not familiar with or well-versed in yet.
RC: You work in a traditionally male-dominated job. What perceptions do you think hold women back from entering your field?
JW: Working with men can be intimidating sometimes, just because they may have more experience, knowledge or strength.
RC: Have you found any of these perceptions to be true for you personally?
JW: Yes, absolutely, at least at first. However, over time, those people that may have intimidated me, are the same people that have taught me so much. I have acquired a lot of knowledge, confidence and strength from them.
RC: How can employers and co-workers best support women in their early days as a technician?
JW: Have patience and be willing to guide and support new starters. Having mentors has been crucial to my growth and learning and still is!
RC: Do you have any advice for women who are thinking about becoming a technician?
JW: Be confident. Half of the battle for companies is finding people willing to do this line of work. If you’re willing and have the mechanical aptitude, go for it.
Quickfire round with Jane:
What music are you listening to in the workshop?
I rotate between classic rock, alternative and country. Some of my favourites are CCR, Pink Floyd,
Modest Mouse, Foster the People, Tyler Childers and Whiskey Myers.
What’s your favourite forklift model to work on and why?
GLC50VX – I have become pretty familiar with this one.
What are your favourite things to do in your spare time?
My husband and I have three young sons —spare time is rare, but when I do get time I enjoy
reading books (non-fiction), writing, sewing, baking, and of course working on one of our trucks.
You enjoy owning and working on cars. What's your latest?
I just recently got a 2016 Ram 2500 (with a 6.7 Cummins).