Interview | Els : “There is a real drive to work together and find solutions.”
“I worked for a chemical company for seventeen years,” Els explains. “That experience only strengthened my interest in technology. At ENGIE, I found exactly what I was looking for: a technological challenge combined with societal impact and collaboration across multiple sites. You step into a completely new environment, but that’s exactly what made it so interesting. I’ve always enjoyed learning new things.”
A leap into the unknown
Making the move did come with some doubts, however. “That’s only natural when you start something new,” says Els. “Part of the role was easy to picture, but another part was completely unfamiliar territory.” What helped was the way her colleagues welcomed her. “From day one, expectations were clear. I was given the time to get to know the organisation and its various sites, both through self-study and by spending time on site. That combination worked really well for me.”
“It quickly became clear what approach I would take,” Els says. “I’m someone who has no problem saying, ‘I don’t know that yet.’ I came from a different industry, so it’s only natural that there were things I still needed to learn. It’s much better to ask questions straight away than to keep them to yourself for a year,” she laughs. “Together with my manager, I put together a development plan, and thanks to the open atmosphere and the support of my colleagues, I quickly felt at home in the role.”
Balancing Technology and People
Today, Els leads a team of operators working day shifts across several ENGIE power plants. No two days are ever the same. “Together, we make sure everything runs as it should. We analyse processes, investigate incidents and, at the same time, ensure the well-being of the team. Good communication is essential in all of this.”
For Els, that variety is one of the job’s greatest strengths. “You constantly switch between different roles: team leader, technical point of contact, customer liaison... That diversity is what makes the role so interesting.”
Looking ahead, Els is already focused on the future. ENGIE is currently developing a new battery storage facility in Kallo. “The battery park is scheduled to be commissioned next year. My team has been closely involved from the design phase onwards. We are currently in the testing phase and actively preparing for the start-up together. It is an exciting additional challenge because you are truly helping to build something from the ground up. And, of course, it is crucial that everything is carried out safely.”
Stronger Together, Especially in Challenging Moments
What defines Els most in her role is the spirit of collaboration. “You’re never on your own here,” she says. “If an issue arises, you always know who to turn to. That openness and direct feedback create a strong sense of trust.”
She sees this reflected in real-life situations. “I remember a technical issue during the restart of one of our power plants. The on-call team came to the site, but so did a colleague who was already on the way home and decided to stop by to help. That’s when you really feel that we’re in this together. There is a genuine drive to find solutions.” That commitment continues even after the issue has been resolved. “Colleagues will call to check how things turned out. They may seem like small gestures, but they say a lot about the atmosphere and team spirit here.”
Room to Grow in a Rapidly Evolving Sector
Alongside teamwork, there is also plenty of room for autonomy. “You’re given the flexibility to organise your work in a way that suits you. That makes it easier to maintain a healthy work-life balance. For example, if I have an early meeting, I can easily join it via Teams.”
At the same time, the environment is anything but static. “The energy transition is constantly reshaping our sector. That’s what makes it so exciting: you’re right at the heart of a transformation that has a real impact on society.”
And what about the future? Els looks ahead with the same open-minded attitude she had when she first joined. “There’s still so much I want to learn and achieve in this role. But ENGIE is a large company with countless opportunities. Who knows where that journey might take me next?”
© Jobat