Being a woman technician in rail industry is just another day at work
PETALING JAYA: Her workplace is filled with forklifts, cranes and machines weighing several tonnes, but Nur Atiqah Norhaizad has never considered them “off-limits” just because she is a woman.
The 28-year-old is the only female technician in Rapid Rail’s Kelana Jaya Line depot equipment team, where she helps ensure the machinery used for train maintenance is safe and in excellent working order.
Her work involves maintaining and repairing heavy machinery, including forklifts for lifting train components, wheel profile machines that restore wheel shapes, shunting vehicles for moving train cars and overhead cranes.
“I am proud to be a female technician because it is rare to see one. But I want to do this kind of work, and I enjoy the challenge,” she said when met at her workplace.
Graduating with a mechanical engineering diploma from Taiping Vocational College, Nur Atiqah entered the engineering field at age 21 and has spent three years with Rapid Rail.
“I have done similar technician jobs before Rapid Rail. So when I joined, it was not awkward for me to be part of the team as a woman. I was already familiar with this kind of work,” she said.
Her routine typically starts with a team meeting, followed by checking, maintaining or repairing the equipment necessary for train maintenance activities.
She said among the challenges was managing the job’s physical demands, as the work required considerable energy.
“Men and women may have different levels of energy, but we are willing to help each other. I have gained a lot of support from my team. They teach me many things and help me when I need it,” she added.
Safety remains her priority when working around heavy machinery.
“Women should tie their hair securely and make sure their headscarf is properly fastened to prevent it from becoming caught in machinery.
“We also need to make sure we are fit, eat healthily and drink plenty of water. You don’t have to go to the gym, but you have to take care of yourself,” she said.
Outside work, Nur Atiqah runs to help relieve stress. She also takes part in marathon competitions and enjoys hiking and fishing.
Her interest in fixing things is more than a job – it is a skill she has carried with her since childhood.
“During my school days, I enjoyed the subject ‘Kemahiran Hidup’ because of the tools I could hold. Back then I also helped my mechanic brother repair motorcycles at a shop,” she recalled.
Among her biggest supporters are her parents, who encouraged her to pursue this career.
“I am the first female technician in my family. My parents have always supported me and never stopped me from pursuing my passion, but they always remind me to be safe,” she said.
Nur Atiqah said people advised her to choose desk work over a technical job.
“But I realised that desk work is not for me. I have tried it, but I like fixing things,” she added.
Looking ahead, she hopes to progress to becoming a senior technician and gain more experience, including eventually being involved in train maintenance.
For other women who may be considering a career in engineering, she encourages them to give it a chance and keep learning along the way.
“Knowledge is broad. At first, I was scared because I was small-sized and everything looked huge here. But eventually, you learn.”
