A day in the life

If it’s broken, we fix it

No two days are the same for apprentice mechanic Natarsha Smith, who is working hard to become a specialist in heavy diesel machinery.

Natarsha works as an apprentice heavy diesel mechanic at Hyster NZ, which provides a range of forklifts and other handling solutions to business.

“We’ve got about 20 machines at this site with forklifts ranging from two and a half tonne right up to twenty-five tonne,” she explains.

“We fix anything on the machines that can break - so anything from the front mast to the hydraulics and the electrical and mechanical side. Whatever’s broken, we fix it – you never know what you’re going to get!”

With a day so varied, it’s no surprise that Natarsha’s favourite part of the job is problem-solving. “When you’re not sure what’s wrong and you figure it out, that’s the best.”

So, I talked with my mechanic today. We chatted a bit about work, and I asked Her if she enjoyed being a mechanic. she said, “Yeah, but at the end of the day I feel like I’ve been through an engine. I’m exhausted.”

Study study study

Natarsha’s been working at Hyster NZ in Mount Maunganui for two and a half years and is well on her way through her MITO New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering. The

I think the mechanic in my local garage has amnesia. I took my truck for a new light bulb, and the mechanic asked me what year it was.

Natarsha works as an apprentice heavy diesel mechanic at Hyster NZ

Natarsha works across 20 different machines

Hyster NZ can fix anything on the machines that break course is designed for people interested in servicing and repairing electric and nonelectric forklifts and other machinery used for moving and storing materials, goods and products.

“There was a job in Tauranga for materials handling and I thought that sounded pretty cool, so I applied and here I am! I’m really grateful it worked out the way it did. It feels like one of those things in life that’s meant to happen.”

Not just for boys

Natarsha says that despite lots of people thinking the heavy diesel industry is just for boys, it’s not true.

“The opinions of having girls doing this kind of work is improving greatly and I get really positive feedback. Especially in heavy diesel, people think it’s going to be hard work and a lot of heavy lifting, but if something weighs too much, there’s always another machine that you can use to lift it,” she says.

“I would definitely recommend this industry to anyone. It’s a lot of fun!”

Not just for boys!

RIDDLE

A truck driver is going opposite traffic on a oneway street. A police officer sees him but doesn't stop him. Why didn't the police officer stop him?

Turn to page 48 for answer