Caitlyn Hayes discusses her career with Komatsu Australia so far and reflects on winning the Trailblazing Tradie Award in 2025.
What do you enjoy about the industry?
I enjoy that the industry is always changing, so it’s really fulfilling — there’s constantly something new to do and more to learn.
I’ve been lucky to work with great crews everywhere I’ve been.
Every time you go to a new site, it can feel like you must prove yourself. Like there’s a barrier or a bit of resistance initially, but once you’re in and everyone sees you’re there to do your job, everyone welcomes you. Everywhere I’ve been, I’ve either been one of the first female apprentices they’ve had or the first female fitter, so it’s been a learning experience for them and for me as well.
If you’re willing to apply yourself, there’s always an opportunity to move and upskill yourself.
Komatsu offers a lot of technical training courses you can take to upskill yourself, and other diploma courses the company can put you through to further develop your skills.
I am always looking ahead. I am in a field service role now, but I’ve also started my training and assessment qualification.
Previously when I was in Brisbane, in a workshop environment, I had the opportunity to mentor many of the new apprentices when they were in our workshop which has led me down this path.
When I started, I had to go through a lot of trial and error and think outside the box to work out different ways to do things, so I could still do the job and now to be able to pass that on to apprentices and help them with their questions, it’s really rewarding.
The training qualification means that if I want to step into that role or a technical training role in the future, I’ve got that ready to go. It’s one of the benefits of working with Komatsu as well, there are so many different places you can move to within the company.
Whether you want to be on the workshop floor or out in the field, like I am now, or if you want to transition to a training role, there’s that ability within Komatsu.
What advice would you give to someone entering the industry?
If its something that interests them, I would tell them just to have a go. The worst that can happen is you decide you don’t like it, and you can go and try something else. I would also say don’t be afraid to get involved and ask lots of questions.
No one ever expects you to know everything. The only dumb questions are the ones you don’t ask. There is an opportunity to learn if you’re willing to put in the effort.
What is something you would like to see change in the industry?
When it comes to being on-site, so many things are set up predominantly for men.
Quite often there’s been no previous consideration of ‘hey, females might be coming into this space, and we might have to adjust some things to cater to that’.
I think small things like having a separate bathroom facility that is clean and accessible and correctly fitting personal protection equipment are important considerations.
Also, when you go to the site, a lot of the time, as a female, people automatically assume you’re an apprentice or unskilled worker. A lot of people don’t seem to realise that qualified female technicians are working in our industry. After that four-year apprenticeship is up, you are qualified.
how do you reflect on winning the Tradie Trailblazer award in 2025?
I wasn’t expecting to win; I was just happy to be there with all the other tradies from different backgrounds. Winning the award made me realise how much I had actually done in my career and how many barriers I had to break being the first at so many things in my area and industry.
From being the the first female at my previous employment as an apprentice, to completing my dual trade as a diesel fitter and auto electrician, through to now being the only female technician in my team.
It’s made me reflect on how many people have been on that journey with me since the start and recognised those things as well. Getting recognised for that has been a whirlwind, but it’s also pretty exciting and I can’t wait to see what else lies ahead. •
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