International Women's Day

Every year on March 8th, we celebrate International Women's Day. Historically, the construction and technology-oriented industries have been male-dominated, but more and more women are making their mark in this field. Women in construction have faced many challenges, including discrimination and the assumption that they are not (physically) capable of doing the job. At Cordeel Group, we believe that female presence is essential for creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace. However, we would like to see a lot more women to join our teams! By placing some strong women at the forefront today, we want to recognize and support their contributions and encourage more women to pursue a career at Cordeel Group.

Interested to know what job opportunities we can offer in different companies and for different skills?
Visit jobs.cordeel.eu and get in touch!

When did you start at Cordeel ?

"I have been in the construction business for 35 years and started working as a subcontractor for Cordeel 32 years ago. After some years I got a permanent contract and I haven't regretted it for a second. I hope to keep working for Cordeel until my retirement. I began my career as a constable, but every afternoon while my colleagues took their lunch breaks, I would practice operating cranes. Eventually, I was given the opportunity to attend school to become a construction site machinist, which I eagerly pursued."

What did you study?

"It may sound unbelievable, but during those times, it was not common to consider studying construction. As a result, my mother encouraged me to pursue a career in hairdressing, which I did receive training for. However, I wouldn't recommend letting me style your hair ;-) "

What sparked your interest in engineering and construction?

"During my childhood, I was fascinated by vans and cranes, as my father worked with sugar beet at the Moerbeke sugar factory. I would often sit on the crane operator's lap while they loaded the sugar beet, which left a lasting impression on me."

What is your idea on the underrepresentation of women in technical or construction-related professions?

"I too find it unfortunate that there is a lack of women in the construction industry. While it is a male-dominated field where you must be assertive, I have never encountered any issues while working alongside men for 35 years. Naturally, some colleagues are easier to work with than others. Nevertheless, I am not the kind of person to allow others to take advantage of me, and I make it known that I am comfortable and deserve my place in the construction industry."

When did you start at NLT-Pivaco Group?

Machteld: "I started working for NLT-pIvaco 2 years ago."

Eva: "I have been working at NLT-Pivaco for a little over a year now."

What did you study?

Machteld: "I have a welding diploma."

Eva: "In 2003, I earned my diploma in corner seam welding with electrodes."

What sparked your interest in engineering and construction?

Machteld: "As a child, I had a passion for creating things with my hands, whether it was through drawing, painting, or crafting. My dad's toolbox quickly became my favorite place to explore and discover new tools and materials to use for my projects."

Eva: "I also have a background in graphics and design, which led me to work for an artist who specialized in metalworking for three years. During that time, I learned to weld after bronzing, which proved useful."

What is your idea on the underrepresentation of women in technical or construction-related professions?

Machteld: "In today's world, I believe it is progress that all job vacancies are required to include m/f/x, indicating a push towards greater inclusivity. However, in my opinion, there needs to be more encouragement for girls to pursue technical careers from an early age. While I personally feel at ease working in a male-dominated industry, it is not without its challenges. Company managers and recruiters often have doubts about a woman's physical capabilities and may worry about potential conflicts in a male team, which is unfounded.

For women who aspire to work in technical fields, I would strongly encourage them to persevere despite being under a magnifying glass. Once they demonstrate their mastery of the craft, they will gain a lot of appreciation and respect from their colleagues. It is crucial to break down gender barriers and stereotypes in the workplace to create a more inclusive and diverse workforce. With continued efforts to promote gender equality, I hope to see more women pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated industries and thrive in them."

Eva:  "After my job at the metalworking artist, I returned to graphic design but also started renovating an old house. I applied for a maintenance technician position at a retirement home across from my house to make the project more manageable. Despite the vacancy opening up three times, they hired less skilled men each time, and I ended up working in the kitchen. Frustrated by the lack of challenge, low pay, and limited prospects, I gave up on being able to work as a welder.

However, that changed when NLT-Pivaco called me for a welding test, specifically for TIG welding, which I had no prior experience in. I practiced for a week, took the test, and was offered a position on the condition that I take a training course at VDAB. After six months of internship at Pivaco, I was hired permanently. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and enjoy working with metal and improving my skills. Pivaco is an excellent company, and I have wonderful colleagues.

As a woman, it can be challenging to enter technical professions in construction, but it's crucial to persevere. Now, there are two female welders at Pivaco, and I hope this serves as a message to not give up on your dreams!"

When did you start at Cordeel?

"In august 2016 I started working for Cordeel as an assistent Project Manager after having done some student work there the year before."

What did you study?

"I have a Master degree in Architecture."

What sparked your interest in engineering and construction?

"I mainly came into contact with the construction world and architecture through my dad. It has always interested me."

What is your idea on the underrepresentation of women in technical or construction-related professions?

"The construction industry can be quite challenging to break into, you need to have a strong backbone, handle tough discussions, and sometimes deal with criticism. In my opinion, handling all this needs to fit your personality. Personally, I find myself thriving better in a supportive role than a leadership position, but it ultimately varies from person to person. Nevertheless, every day in construction is an opportunity to learn something new, making the job both fascinating and a continuous growth process.

While the number of women in project management within our company is still in the minority, there has been a noticeable increase in the percentage of women in the construction industry compared to let's say six years ago. It's encouraging to see that progress is being made, and I hope that more women will continue to break barriers and excel in this field."

 

When did you start at Cordeel?

"In started working for Cordeel in May 2016 as a Technical Project Manager."

What did you study?

"I have a Bachelor in Architecture (Ing.) and a Master in Engineering."

What sparked your interest in engineering and construction?

"My interest in this field was ingrained in me from an early age. Since I was around 7 or 8 years old, I've been passionate about playing with building toys like Lego and K'nex. By the time I turned 10, I had already set my sights on becoming an architect, and by the time I reached secondary school, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in engineering. 

What excites me most about engineering and construction is the ability to create something that others can use, as well as the challenge of solving problems that others may not even recognize. I find it incredibly fulfilling to come up with creative solutions to difficult challenges."

What is your idea on the underrepresentation of women in technical or construction-related professions?

"The construction industry is still lacking in female representation, particularly in leadership positions. While women may be present in support roles, they are rarely seen as project managers or in executive roles on the contractor's side. Being a woman in this field comes with a level of attention and scrutiny, as you are often the only woman among a group of men. It can be challenging to prove yourself at the start of a new project, as you are constantly faced with the assumption that you are not the project manager or in a leadership role. However, I have learned to brush off these assumptions and use them to my advantage.

Despite the challenges, having a woman's perspective at the table can broaden the vision on a problem and offer a listening ear to colleagues. Developing stronger relationships with male colleagues often leads to greater professional success. I personally enjoy working with men as they tend to be direct, hands-on, and have a good sense of humor."

When did you start at Cordeel?

"I joined Imtech in April 2013 as a Project Secretary and later as Project Assistent. In August 2019 I made the internal switch to Cordeel where I have been working since as a Technical Project Manager. I am responsible for project management, which includes overseeing all the technical aspects from the design stage to the execution phase. My primary role is to ensure that the techniques used in our building projects are well-coordinated with the other components, including structural, finishing, and surrounding construction. The ultimate goal is to deliver a visually appealing and technically feasible project within the given deadline.

In essence, constructing a project requires teamwork, and I work closely with the other companies of Cordeel Group, clients, architects, study bureaus, stability engineers, safety coordinators, and subcontractors to ensure that every aspect of the project is carried out seamlessly."

What did you study?

"I have a Bachelor in Communication Management. From 2015 to 2016, I followed additional training in the weekends in Leuven. The "ATIC for HVAC professionals" training course involved both theoretical and practical courses and exams that allowed me to obtain the needed certifications."

What sparked your interest in engineering and construction?

"After completing my bachelor's degree in communication management, I found that the sector no longer sparked my interest enough and I started seeking out new challenges. I've always had a certain curiosity regarding the process of constructing buildings from start to finish, and the technologies involved. I feel that by joining Imtech first and now working for Cordeel, I have found the perfect combination to satisfy my curiosity and fulfill my career aspirations."

What is your idea on the underrepresentation of women in technical or construction-related professions?

"Being a woman has never stopped me from taking up a challenge. I believe that if you have a passion or interest in something, you should always pursue it. Furthermore, I require the continuous challenge of acquiring new knowledge in my career, as it brings me happiness. Cordeel Group provides me with this opportunity."

When did you start at Cordeel?

"I joined Imtech in January 2008. I began my career as a project secretary, which helped me gain technical knowledge about the construction industry. Over time, I realized that I wanted to work more on-site, so I gradually transitioned into the role of site planner."

What did you study?

"I studied information management so all the knowledge and skills I need in my current position I have learned on the job."

What sparked your interest in engineering and construction?

"My father spent his entire career in construction, and I learned a lot from him. I, too, have caught the bug for (re)construction and find all the techniques involved to be extremely interesting to learn and execute."

What is your idea on the underrepresentation of women in technical or construction-related professions?

"In recent years, an increasing number of women are pursuing technical or construction-related jobs, demonstrating their ability to stand their ground."