It’s Girls’ Day on Thursday and that’s why 60 teenage girls visited Kristel Groenenboom’s container company in Oosterhout. The intention was to get the girls excited to go into the technique. Kristel took over the business from her father when she was 23. “What men can do, women can do too, he always said.”
The secondary school students from Curio in Oosterhout and Munnikenheide College in Ruphen were joined by ministers Robert Dijkgraaf (Education) and Micky Adriaansens (Economic Affairs). Both think it is important that more women work in technology, because that industry is crying out for extra hands. Now it is only 13 percent.
“It is easier to silence 60 men than 60 giggling adolescent girls,” director Kristel quickly concluded.
Men in charge
Kristel (36) was named Businesswoman of the Year as the youngest woman ever last year. The girls thought that was fascinating, such a young woman who manages all those men. Because Kristel also mainly works with men, although she herself would like to see it differently.
She herself is not averse to working with her hands. She can help herself almost everywhere if needed. She is the only top woman with a welding diploma.
The girls responded enthusiastically during the tour of her company site. “I see things I’ve never seen before,” Yasmin responds. Yet she does not see herself working in technology. “Although designing products is also quite technical, right?”
‘Stay crazy’
Her peers are also impressed by the container company. “I think women can do this job just as well, but I don’t see myself doing it,” says Romy. “The fact that you also see so few women in construction also ensures that it remains strange to choose that direction as a woman,” says Carmen.