The Female Tractor Technician Who Is Breaking Stereotypes

Lerato Baloyi is currently the only female agricultural equipment technician employed by John Deere Sub-Saharan Africa. Siyanda Sishuba spoke to the 29-year-old Baloyi about her often-challenging journey in this male-dominated industry, and her passion for her career.

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WHAT DOES YOUR JOB AT JOHN DEERE ENTAIL?

As an agricultural equipment technician, I’m responsible for the set-up, maintenance, servicing, diagnosing, repair and reconditioning of agricultural equipment at the shop or in the field. The equipment we work on includes tractors and combine harvesters, as well as a variety of implements for agricultural operations such as tillage, seeding, planting, harvesting and spraying.

Our services are used by equipment manufacturers, dealerships and independent repair shops, and large farms.

An agricultural equipment technician is also involved in teaching clients how to operate new equipment, and consulting with them to pinpoint problems and determine their specific needs. Good communication and customer service skills are therefore essential.

In my current position, I train technicians from our dealer networks, including Afgri, GWK and Senwes.

HOW DID YOU END UP FOLLOWING THIS CAREER PATH?

In high school, I’d already developed an interest in he mechanical field. In 2007, I matriculated from Pretoria Technical High School, where I majored in motor mechanics from Grade 10 to Grade 12, to pursue a mechanical engineering degree. But my mathematics grades didn’t qualify me to study a degree, so in 2008 I upgraded the subject at the Wits Star School during a six-month programme. I then registered for a mechanical engineering course at Tshwane South TVET College in September 2008; this is an N6-level National Certificate in Engineering Studies. I had only one subject left to complete the course when I decided to look for an internship.