Jayden Cook is breaking barriers.  She is entering a field that not many women go into. Jayden, a junior, is part of the JTED Heavy Equipment Operations  – a program she joined to do what she loves, which is operating heavy machinery. Jayden enjoys this line of work because the pay is really good, and she is outside and has so much freedom to operate this machinery.

Jayden said, “Right now I’m just trying to see what works for me and what I like to work with.” Currently, she is learning to use a skid steer and an excavator. A skid steer is a piece of construction equipment whose main purpose is digging and hauling materials. An excavator is what she loves to use to move large amounts of material, like rock and soil. She enjoys outdoorsy activities so the fact that she gets to do this in JTED makes her so happy.

She has her certification already for doing 10 hours of safety courses. The courses are in place just as a precaution so no one gets hurt and it limits injury. Jayden said, “I am aiming to get my next certification called NCCR for more safety lessons which is free of charge.” If she completes these and she gets her certifications then she will have direct employment straight out of high school or straight out of college because she will already be ahead. Jayden wants to continue this all the way to college because she wishes to learn even more. Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, she is the youngest of two brothers and a sister who has always supported her with her desire to be an operator.  Her parents have always encouraged her and helped her get to where she is today. She is very excited about what’s next and is always open to learning more about this line of work.