Another focus for Claudia is the transformation from DCS (Distributed Control System) to hybrid DCS, giving the client more freedom of choice with regard to PLCs, SCADA and service contracts. “Hybrid DCS can save our customers money and create more operational flexibility while we modernise their automated operations.”
Role model against her will
Claudia graduated cum laude in Energy Technology back in the days when there were few female role models in technology. “A lot has changed since then,” Van Batenburg says. “When visiting our clients, I see more women having meaningful and rewarding careers in technology as there are more and more female operators, engineers and project managers. The same applies to ICT Group. IT and High Tech might appear
to be a distinct man’s world, but the balance is slowly shifting.”
When Van Batenburg did her safety training at the start of her career as an engineer, offshore work was not geared towards women at all. Engineers at Raster regularly work on offshore projects so they have to be equipped to do offshore work, so safety training is mandatory. “The survival suits at the safety training were one-size-fits-all-men,” she says laughing. “The seals around the neck and limbs did not fit me. I finally found one suit that wasn’t worn out and could keep me dry so I wore it when I jumped off the tower. The suit was still so oversized that when I hit the water, the air went straight to my feet and they came up first. If I hadn’t worn a lifejacket I would’ve had to be rescued upside down from the water. It must have been extremely funny to watch from the sidelines.”
“I have always enjoyed working in technology. People who work in technology are generally highly educated and passionate about what they do. They just want to get things done and always judge you on your merits. I do hope that the number of women working in high tech becomes more balanced in the future but I’ve always been accepted as ‘one of the guys’ and recognised for my hard work and achievements, just like anyone else.”
“It is my job to identify new clients and new markets.“
