Sydney-based materials handling supplier Hystandard Handling Equipment has seen its first female apprentice graduate as a fully qualified technician.
Marievic Solis joined Hystandard four years ago and, according to managing director John Flinn, “has become a very valued member of the Hystandard team during this time”. “We interviewed several candidates before we employed Mara and were not put off by gender; she was a stand-out candidate,” he explains.
Flinn says his company is totally committed to training young people to be part of the materials handling industry. He believes Solis’ path from apprentice forklift technician to fully qualified technician may be an Australian – if not a global – first. “It would be interesting to hear of any other females in this male-dominated trade,” he says. Flinn points out that there “are many avenues that open up to Mara now as she continues her employment with Hystandard. She has already shown tremendous commitment to complete her training”.
Founded in 1983, Hystandard claims to be the largest independent forklift dealership in Sydney and represents the Yale brand. It also has a presence in Melbourne and, besides equipment, provides accredited forklift training.