Interview | Maud : “Like me, women can build a career in technical professions”
Quality, safety and environment. Three words that define Maud Nijst’s role as EHSQ Manager at ENGIE. She has held this position for just over a year, after serving as Deputy Manager for two years. “A great personal and professional achievement,” she says. But what exactly does her job involve?
No typical day
What does a typical day look like for Maud? “It’s actually difficult to talk about a typical week,” she smiles. That’s because she moves from one site to another: “Generally speaking, I am responsible for analysing workplace risks for various employees and managing field teams on matters related to quality, safety and the environment.” She also follows up on files with the relevant authorities to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations. “There is also a whole aspect related to analysing incidents that may occur. It’s a very varied role,” she explains enthusiastically.
A different working environment...
Before joining ENGIE, the Quality, Safety and Environment Manager had already worked for several companies in the same field of expertise. “I was no longer particularly enjoying my previous job and started looking elsewhere. The construction of the new power plant in Flémalle created an opportunity for me.” She initially applied for a position at the Flémalle power plant, but the role was ultimately given to an internal candidate. A few months later, however, ENGIE contacted her again to fill that same position. “ENGIE has an excellent reputation when it comes to safety and sets very high standards regarding employee well-being. I also wanted to contribute to that.” She discovered a new working environment there as well: “ENGIE is an open company where people can speak freely. If there is a problem, people listen and take action immediately.”
... and a more inclusive one too
As a woman, is it difficult to find your place in a technical sector? “At ENGIE, being a woman has never been a barrier. My ideas are listened to and taken into consideration. In fact, within my team we have almost perfect gender balance.” The teams are very diverse, which is a real strength: “Diversity, both in terms of gender and background, brings different ways of thinking and enriches discussions.” This diversity and company culture are actively encouraged by ENGIE. “We are clearly working in a company that makes this possible. But it is also the commitment of employees, and their own values, that make it work in practice.”
Some challenges still remain
Further progress can still be made, particularly at higher levels. “For example, there are only two women on the local management committee. That is not a problem in itself, but it remains a challenge. There are still certain reflexes or preconceived ideas from time to time. These are small things that are still embedded in people’s mindsets, even though things are gradually changing,” Maud explains. In any case, skills are what matter most, both on the management committee and in the field: “We focus on everyone’s competencies, and we are all treated as equals at ENGIE. The main challenge remains the fact that there are currently fewer women in technical professions, although this is also beginning to change, with more young women choosing these study paths at university today.”
Attracting more women to technical professions
In the field, it will probably take a few more years before the impact becomes fully visible, although the trend is already emerging. “I have been with ENGIE for three years now and I can see more and more women applying. We will also need to adapt internally.” In what way? “With more women joining the company, certain facilities will also need to evolve. I’m thinking in particular of showers and sanitary facilities. It is something we did not necessarily think about before.” One thing is certain for Maud: more women are now taking the leap and applying for so-called ‘technical’ positions. She also has one final piece of advice for them: “You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by applying for this type of job at ENGIE, where you will have the opportunity to grow and develop your career, just as I have.”
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