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Tanya Gairdner : Building a Career in the Crane, Lift & Specialized Transport Industry

Tanya Gairdner shares her personal journey through the crane, lift and specialised transport sector, offering insight into leadership, inclusivity, and career growth from her own experience.

30 Second Takeaway Tanya’s career journey offers a grounded, people-first perspective on working in the crane, lift and specialised transport industry. From early site-based roles to leadership, she shares how experience, mentorship and stepping outside her comfort zone shaped her path and what the industry can do to better support women entering the field. A Career Built from the Ground Up “I didn’t come into the industry with a long-term plan I came in willing to learn,” Tanya says. “Once you’re on site and you see how complex and challenging this work is, it hooks you.” The journey into the crane and lift sector doesn’t always begin with a clear roadmap. For many, it starts on site. Beginning as an entry-level site administrator, Tanya gained first-hand exposure to how complex lifting projects are planned, executed, and delivered. Working closely with both field crews and office teams provided a deep understanding of operations and built strong professional relationships. That foundation opened the door to progression through roles including planner, operations manager, and ultimately branch manager all while maintaining the same pride and excitement felt on the very first job. Giving Back Through Apprenticeship and Culture “Apprenticeships are the backbone of this industry,” Tanya explains. “If we don’t invest the time to train people properly and support them early, we lose talent before it ever has a chance to grow.” A major focus of Tanya’s work is supporting apprenticeship programmes and developing the next generation of skilled operators. By working closely with the union, she helps ensure apprentices receive proper training, mentorship, and on-the-job support. Just as important is fostering a family-oriented workplace culture, where communication, collaboration, and trust are central. This people-first approach has proven critical to retaining talent and empowering teams to take ownership of their work. Where Opportunity Exists for Women Opportunities for women in the industry are broad and expanding. While women continue to succeed as crane operators and truck drivers, the sector also offers careers across operations, engineering, maintenance, safety, finance, management, sales, IT, marketing, and HR. The message is clear: the industry needs a wide range of skills, perspectives, and experiences and women are increasingly filling those roles. Inclusivity: Progress with More to Do “I’ve seen real change over the years,” she says. “There are more women coming into the industry now, and more acceptance but it only continues if we stay intentional about mentorship and opportunity.” Although the crane industry has historically been male-dominated, inclusivity has improved significantly in recent years. More women are entering the field, earning recognition for their skills, and working across technical and leadership roles. The growing presence of women is changing perceptions and helping normalise diversity across job sites and offices. Continued progress, however, depends on mentorship, training, and intentional support. Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone “Networking didn’t come naturally to me at first,” Tanya admits. “But every time I pushed myself to show up, to have the conversation, it paid off not just professionally, but personally as well.” One of the biggest personal challenges Tanya identifies has been external networking. While day-to-day collaboration within the organisation felt natural, attending industry events and meeting new clients required pushing beyond comfort zones. That effort has included participating in more site visits, attending events, volunteering, and joining industry networks such as the Canadian Women in Energy – Edmonton Chapter (CwiE). These steps have helped build confidence and meaningful professional connections. Advice for Women Entering the Industry For women considering a career in cranes, lifting, or specialised transport, Tanya’s advice is practical and grounded: “Don’t wait until you feel ready,” she says. “Apply, ask questions, get your foot in the door. This industry rewards people who show up and are willing to learn.” Pursue what genuinely interests you and don’t be limited by stereotypes Apply to unions and multiple companies if operations or field roles appeal to you Heavy equipment experience and a Class 1 licence are valuable assets Use social media as a professional networking tool Be persistent, curious, and open to learning Take advantage of organisations such as Women Building Futures, trade schools, NAIT events, and union networking opportunities Enthusiasm, she notes, is often rewarded with mentorship. About Mammoet Mammoet is a global leader in engineered heavy lifting and transport services, supporting complex infrastructure, energy, mining, and industrial projects worldwide. With operations across Canada, Mammoet delivers specialised crane, heavy transport, and project engineering solutions, including support for some of the most demanding lifts in Western Canada. The company is recognised for its commitment to safety, innovation, and people development, investing heavily in training, apprenticeship pathways, and sustainable technologies to support long-term industry growth. Website: https://www.mammoet.com

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