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More than 70 employees of specialist in digital transformation and energy transition inspire next generation of women in tech sector
VINCI Energies in Belgium is reaffirming its commitment to diversity and inclusiveness with the fifth edition of its ‘Women in Technology’ campaign. In total, more than 70 female employees participated in the initiative, which breaks down stereotypes and highlights female talent in the technology and energy sector. The goal? To attract more women into traditionally male-dominated sectors, creating a more balanced working environment.
Emphasising the importance of equal opportunities in the workplace, regardless of gender, orientation, religion or origin, the campaign highlights a female colleague every month through VINCI Energies' website and social media channels.
Fabrice Montesi, Managing Director of VINCI Energies Belgium Building Solutions: “We continue to invest in the ‘Women in Technology’ campaign. We were one of the pioneers and are proud to see other organisations and federations following suit. A gender balance between women and men is essential for a stronger sector.”
The strength of the ‘Women in Technology’ campaign lies in the personal stories of the participants, such as “My father taught me about electricity from an early age and it was the most normal thing in the world” or “I never found it strange to be the only woman, but just followed my own interests”. They show that women in the technology sector can not only be successful, but also be role models for future generations. The participants“ overall message is clear: ”At VINCI Energies, the sky is the limit". In addition, each semester the participants get the chance to meet each other at an exclusive walking lunch. This not only provides them with a platform to share experiences, but also to motivate and inspire other women. Each event ends with a company visit, during which one of the participants presents a project and thus passes on her knowledge.
Diversity is an every day job for VINCI Energies. In addition to the campaign, VINCI Energies is also taking other concrete steps to promote workplace diversity in traditionally male occupations such as industrial automation, energy, transport and communication infrastructure, building technology, fire protection and facilities services. For instance, the company adapted the wording of job advertisements to make them as inclusive as possible. It also launched an initiative to purchase customised workwear for female employees, as traditional workwear is tailored to male sizes and shapes. Moreover, the company aims to have at least 30% female managers and 30% women on executive committees by 2030.
In addition, VINCI Energies supports several initiatives such as the Womenpreneur Space, the first dedicated Brussels employment hub of Womenpreneur, an association that supports women in entrepreneurship in the technology world, where women are trained in e-jobs, cybersecurity and digital skills. It also recently presented the Womenpreneur & VINCI Energies Award 2024 to Valérie Willems, a recent female engineering graduate. This award, now in its second edition, recognises and encourages female talent in scientific, technological, engineering and mathematical (STEM) fields.
These efforts do not go unnoticed. In recent years, VINCI Energies has received several awards for its diversity policy. Among others, the company was awarded the diversity label of the Brussels Capital Region, Veuve Clicquot's Bold Champion Award and the X² Gender Equivalent Approved Enterprise quality certificate. These recognitions confirm that diversity and inclusiveness are structurally embedded in the company's strategy.
“At VINCI Energies, we believe that diversity is an engine for innovation and growth. We are actively committed to creating a working environment where everyone, regardless of gender or background, has equal opportunities to develop professionally”, concludes Luc Clabout, Managing Director of VINCI Energies Belgium Industry, Infra & ICT.
