Vilvoorde, February 11 2025 – Tonight in Living Tomorrow, the Womenpreneur & VINCI Energies Award 2024 was accepted by Valérie Willems, a recently graduated female engineer. The award, now organised for the second time, is an initiative of Womenpreneur, an association that supports women in entrepreneurship in the world of technology, and VINCI Energies, a specialist in industrial automation, energy, transport and communication infrastructures, building techniques, fire protection and facility services. With this award, the partners aim to highlight female talent in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and strengthen the role of women in the industry.

The Womenpreneur & VINCI Energies Award recognizes a female engineering student for her outstanding research work with a contract of indefinite duration at VINCI Energies Belgium, where she can gain valuable experience in a dynamic and demanding work environment. This second edition awarded this honor to Valérie Willems, who received the prize at the awards ceremony organized by both companies. The event kicked off with the panel discussion “Women in tech: Pioneers of innovation in Belgium,” where female STEM talents shared their career paths, successes and vision for the future of technology and discussed the importance of more female representation in the sector. After the awards ceremony, a walking dinner and networking moment wrapped up the event.

According to UNESCO, only 34% of graduates in STEM fields are women and only 28% of scientists and engineers are women. Marc Lemaire, Deputy Managing Director at VINCI Energies Europe North West: “Women are essential for growth and innovation in the technology and industry sectors. These figures show that despite their valuable contribution to the advancement of the industry, they still face persistent barriers. With this award, we aim to highlight female talent, inspire young women for careers in technology and bring together STEM professionals, students and business leaders to drive change and gender diversity in the sector.”

Sana Afouaiz, founder and CEO of Womenpreneur: “With this award, we celebrate women who are overcoming stereotypes and creating inclusive environments. By sharing their successes and honoring their achievements, we inspire the next generation of female talent in the technology and energy sectors and highlight the importance of innovation and diversity.”

Equal opportunities and professional growth

The Womenpreneur & VINCI Energies Award will allow Valérie Willems, as laureate, to go through the four strategic departments of VINCI Energies, guided personally, in order to further develop her skills and discover which department matches her ambitions. In addition, she will have the opportunity to work in an international, multicultural environment involving large-scale projects. After this program, she will be given the choice to decide, together with VINCI Energies Belgium, which position and sector she wants to land in.

“For me, this award opens the door to a world of opportunities and underscores VINCI Energies’ commitment to diversity and inclusion. It offers not only a unique professional experience, but also the chance to contribute to sustainable and innovative projects. Are you a recent student graduate and would you like to contribute to much-needed changes in the technological world? Then grab this opportunity and participate,” testifies Valérie Willems, Project Engineer at VINCI Energies Belgium and the winner of the Womenpreneur & VINCI Energies Award 2024.

Boosting careers

Each year, the Womenpreneur & VINCI Energies Award is open to motivated female students who have just graduated or are about to graduate. They can submit their innovative theses on crucial themes within various sectors, from industry and infrastructure to services and ICT, such as climate action, circular economy and the preservation of natural environments. Following their applications, the selected candidates will be invited for a personal interview and a winner will be selected accordingly. Interested female students can submit their thesis for the next edition until October 30, 2025, giving them a chance to win this unique career opportunity.

“This job has not only enriched me technically, but has also resulted in personal growth,” explains Phi Tran, Project Engineer at VINCI Energies Belgium and the winner of the Womenpreneur & VINCI Energies Award 2023. “As a recent graduate, it’s not always easy to find your way, but this award gave me the chance to explore different career opportunities. What immediately attracted me to VINCI Energies are their commitment to gender equality and focus on sustainability – two values that are extremely important to me.”