"They always told me I should become an engineer, but I always knew I wanted to be an excavator operator"

31-year-old machine operator Lars has a lot on his plate. When he's not driving an excavator at work, he competes in the Swedish jet-ski championships. He's originally from Jokkmokk but recently built a house in Boden. Lars has been close to the machine trade since childhood — both his grandfather and father drove excavators.

"They always told me I should become an engineer, but I always knew I wanted to be an excavator operator," Lars says with a laugh.

On a typical day, his alarm goes off at 03:20. He sorts things out at home, drives to work, works all day, drives home, has dinner, spends time with the dogs and the house build — and goes to bed at 10pm ready to do it all again the next day.

Competed in the Swedish jet-ski championships

One of Lars' great interests is skis and skiing craft of every kind. It started with him and his friends riding snowmobiles on the water just for fun. When a friend said "we'll sort it out", Lars got a whole jet ski for the next competition, qualified for the national championships, built a new machine and finished 8th. His interest keeps growing, especially since all his friends ride too.

The future in the industry

Lars enjoys the machine trade and sees no reason to change. He appreciates the freedom with responsibility and the atmosphere among colleagues.

In ten years, Lars hopes to be living in his newly built house with his partner and dog, investing in a big garage and maybe getting more animals.