Page 20 - Energize August 2021

NEWS

Encouraging women in safety to “dream it and achieve it”

ekra Industrial, a leading provider
of non-destructive testing (NDT),
Dinspections and advanced NDT
technologies, aims to be the global partner
for a safe world with the support of a
dedicated team of people striving to ensure
long-term safety, quality and environmental
protection. Dekra Industrial RSA has an
encouraging approach to gender equality
and respect. The company offers a positive
working environment which lays the
foundations for female employees to execute
their duties and responsibilities confidently
and happily, while pursuing their passion
for safety, according to experienced Dekra
Industrial team members Corporate Health
and Safety Manager, Carina Brink-Kleinhans, Carina Brink-Kleinhans Rolene van Niekerk
and Administration Clerk Rolene van Niekerk.
“Women at Dekra Industrial are respected,
valued, and recognised for their contributions. respect afforded to her and her female colleagues:
This acknowledgement of women’s efforts, “This high regard and appreciation for women is demonstrated throughout Dekra Industrial
dedication and abilities not only differentiates internally and externally, throughout our broad client base.”
Dekra Industrial as a progressive and gender- “Dekra Industrial and our clients share high standards and strive to be progressive regarding
equal company – but encourages women gender equality. This approach stacks up to an unbiased and supportive approach to women
to thrive in their roles at the company. In in safety,” she points out. “Fortunately, this means we have not experienced negativity or
turn, we are empowered and encouraged discrimination due to our gender – and our input and recommendations are always respected
to motivate our female colleagues - and and valued.”
women in the industry in general - to strive for Nevertheless, both acknowledge the challenges women still encounter across broader
their goals and achieve the highest levels of industry – including gender bias and discrimination; the pressure of having to prove themselves
performance,” Brink-Kleynhans enthuses. more than their male counterparts; and the notion that women may be less likely to ask for a
While focused on the Dekra Industrial promotion or a raise.
Vision 2025 goals, and in driving the “Yet, despite these challenges and as the broader industry landscape changes, there is
reputation of the company as being nonetheless a growing platform for women to make a positive impact. Women prefer to do every
synonymous with safety internally and job with fairness. Notably, women’s emotional intelligence, passion and helpful nature further help
externally, Brink-Kleinhans’s passion to create a healthy workplace relationship and well-rounded workforce.” Brink-Kleinhans says.
encompasses a warm enthusiasm for people Echoing this observation, van Niekerk adds that women’s patience, paired with “super
and their safety. “I enjoy advising people and versatility, multi-tasking abilities and fearlessness” are invaluable in tackling challenges, assisting
changing their mind sets about safety,” Brink- all team members, and serving clients.
Kleinhans says, mirroring Dekra Industrial’s Brink-Kleinhans agrees: “In sharing a clear and dedicated safety vision and passion, we each
ethos of the need for safety ‘on the road, at fulfil an essential part of the greater safety ‘jigsaw puzzle’ – all working and fitting together,
work and at home’. through mutual support to deliver great service to our clients!”
Rolene van Niekerk, with a similar On this point, both women believe that businesses in South Africa need to do more to foster
passion for people, enjoys building and prioritise equal treatment, respect, and fair career opportunities within all sectors.
relationships and learning more about Dekra “Women can be encouraged to pursue new opportunities through the definition of concrete
Industrial as a business every day. With and detailed goals. By creating a plan to achieve these goals and pairing it with the gathering and
various job-related qualifications under her assignment of resources, progress evaluations and consistent, constructive feedback, staff can be
belt – including a radiographic interpretation motivated to achieve performance excellence,” Brink-Kleinhans says.
course from the Southern African Institute of Similarly, Van Niekerk urges women to remain focused and stand their ground in executing
Welding (SAIW) – van Niekerk continuously their duties: “Keep your head high, your voice audible and be strong!”
learns about new and different NDT While Brink-Kleinhans adds that women should be themselves, respect themselves and define
techniques, testing methods and equipment success in their own terms, rather than base it on the opinion of others, she advocates women
during her daily interactions with her Dekra remain open to learning from others. “There is always room for improvement and making the
Industrial colleagues. most of additional learning opportunities. Last, but not least, believe in yourself and dream your
Drawing on her experiences with dreams – after all, if you can dream it, you can achieve it,” she concludes.
Dekra Industrial’s nationwide footprint of
branches and with clients during site visits, Contact Dekra Industrial RSA, Tel 016 454-0705, johan.gerber@dekra.com,
Brink-Kleinhans underscores the distinct http://www.dekrarsa.com

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