Growing up around trucks and workshops thanks to her parents’ business, Caitlyn Hayes didn’t initially see herself pursuing a career in trades.
“At the time, it wasn’t something I thought I wanted to do, and it definitely wasn’t something girls typically did when I was younger,” she explains. It wasn’t until later that Caitlyn realised she could follow her passion.
With encouragement from her old man, who simply said, “why not? You’re already doing it here,” she embraced the opportunity and set out on a path that would lead her to become a dual-qualified Mobile Plant Mechanic and Automotive Electrician.
A dual-traded approach
Now working FIFO between Queensland and Port Hedland, Western Australia, Caitlyn balances mechanical and electrical work on some of the toughest machines in the field.
“Primarily, I look after a customer’s fleet of machines across two sites. They run a lot of WA900 loaders… Most of it is mechanical work, but because I’m dual-traded I also look after a lot of the auto-electrical side of things,” she said.
Becoming dual-traded wasn’t just about versatility — it was also about preparing for the future.
“If I ever want to step away from the heavier mechanical work, the auto-electrical side can be a bit less physically demanding. The other big reason is technology,” Caitlyn said.
“Machines are becoming so advanced that you almost need to understand both mechanical and electrical systems to keep up with everything.”
SEE MORE: Tradie Tough Tests
Life on site
Caitlyn thrives on problem-solving, tackling breakdowns and servicing fleets in extreme conditions.
“Pretty bloody hot. This week it’s been around 42 degrees most days, and the coolest day was about 37. We don’t really get much of a winter either,” she laughs.
Yet despite the heat, the FIFO roster of two weeks on, two weeks off allows her to fully focus on work while onsite and relax during time at home.
Recognition and achievement
Her hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Caitlyn recently won the Tradie Trailblazer award at the Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT) Gala awards.
“After winning, I realised I actually had done quite a lot and helped pave the way for others. It was really exciting.”
Even flying into Melbourne for the gala was no barrier — she juggled work gear in one bag and a dress in another, proving her ability to handle any challenge on or off the site.
The reward of problem solving
For Caitlyn, the best part of the job is seeing a problem through from start to finish. “When you get called out to a breakdown, diagnose the issue, fix it and get the machine back working again, there’s a real sense of satisfaction. You get to see the whole process from start to finish.”
