Iris van Trigt
Assistant renovation concepts contractor at BAM Wonen
‘International Women's Day is a great initiative, but I hope that one day it will no longer be necessary.’
Iris van Trigt has been working at Renovatie Concepten, part of BAM Wonen, for the past four years. After starting out as an intern, she currently works as an assistant contractor. Her goal is to become an independent contractor. Iris is scheduled to start her first independent project soon, and the project leader is giving her all the scope and confidence she needs to discover whether this is the right role for her. ‘It's nice to be given so much trust by our project manager. He’s really encouraging me to find out whether this is the right path for me. Although I’ve gained a lot of experience over the years, it’s only when you’re on your own that you really experience what it’s like. I already had the privilege of experiencing this for a short time at our renovation project in Sassenheim. Due to various circumstances that came up, in the busiest month I worked there independently as a contractor in combination with three other projects that I was involved in. It was an intense, but above all educational time.’
Variety and lots of contact
For the time being, Iris feels completely at home at Renovatie Concepten. ‘I particularly like the wide variety in our renovation and sustainability projects. I also really appreciate the directness and honesty between us. And I'm a morning person, so getting up so early for work isn't a problem for me! Contact with the occupants is another huge plus. Every day is different, precisely because of this contact. We literally go to people’s properties and work there, sometimes while the occupants are still living at home. So you often bump into each other. The result is some very pleasant moments, but also a few difficult ones. It makes the work fun and challenging.’
Prejudices
Unfortunately, Iris does sometimes experience prejudices: ‘Some people have the image that women in the construction sector are very masculine, even though I come to work wearing makeup. And I have found that occupants sometimes prefer to go to a male colleague, because they think they will be better able to help them. When that happens, it’s important to enter into a conversation with them to show that it doesn't matter which of us you talk to, and that everyone is regarded as equal. Both between colleagues, but also by the partners we work with and the occupants we come into contact with. And that you are assessed and judged on who you are and what you can do. It’s good that there is an International Women's Day, but I hope that one day it will no longer be necessary’.
Women in construction
Iris ended up in the construction sector thanks to her internship, and has been there ever since. ‘I didn't think in advance that I would ever work as a contractor. It may not be the most obvious career choice when you're a young girl thinking about your future job, but I feel totally at home now! So I would like to tell girls that you should always keep your options open, and above all to do what you enjoy doing and not be put off by people’s prejudices.’
