In an industry where steel, grit, and precision often define success, Prudance Maine is quietly reshaping expectations — not by asking for permission, but by showing up, stepping forward, and doing the work.
From a young age, Prudance was drawn to the world of machinery and engineering. Growing up in the North West province, she was surrounded by artisans and technicians — role models who inspired her to believe that a life in the technical field was possible. “I saw how respected artisans were in my community. They lived well, drove nice cars, and carried a sense of pride,” she recalls. One of those artisans, a neighbor who worked as an electrician, lit the initial spark. The rest, as she says, was self-driven.
She enrolled in a technical high school and, in 2014, qualified as an electrician while working at Ceramic Industries. When the company required her to gain a second trade, she didn’t hesitate — she became a qualified fitter in 2018. Over the years, she expanded her experience as a millwright and eventually joined Atlas Copco in 2021 — a dream that had been years in the making.
“I first heard about Atlas Copco back in 2012 during my training at the Artisan Training Institute,” she says. “It was one of those companies everyone aspired to work for — and I knew I would get there one day.”
Today, Prudance is one of the standout technicians in the Compressor Technique division. She was the first woman to take up the role in her team — a milestone she acknowledges, but never leans on. “I don’t see myself as a female technician. I’m just a technician. I want my work to speak for itself.”
Still, the road hasn’t always been smooth. Customers are sometimes surprised to see her arrive alone on site. “They’ll ask, ‘Are you by yourself?’ You can see the doubt,” she says. “But once I start working, their tone changes. By the end of the job, many thank me and even tell me they’ll encourage their daughters to follow a similar path.”
Her story is rooted in resilience. Raised without the support of either parent, she learned early on that limitations were often self-imposed. “I’ve never seen a school form that says you need parents to apply. I refused to feel sorry for myself. I just worked — and kept working.”
That work ethic found fertile ground at Atlas Copco. “Here, you're given the tools — it’s up to you what you do with them. From the beginning, I’ve had access to training, travel, and development opportunities. I’ve been to Egypt for advanced technical training. I’ve done optimizer and VSD certifications. The company doesn’t hold you back — it pushes you forward.”
Prudance’s aspirations are clear: stay technical, keep growing, and become someone that young women — and young technicians, regardless of gender — can look up to. “I don’t want to leave the technical world. I want to climb within it. There’s still so much to learn, and I want to be part of that journey.”
Her advice to the next generation is direct: “Don’t limit yourself. Don’t expect special treatment. Don’t let your background define your future. Work hard. Stay focused. And keep pushing until you get where you want to go.”
Prudance Maine isn’t just doing a job — she’s setting a standard. One that proves excellence has no gender, and potential has no ceiling.