Andrea Vollebregt on behalf of hydraulic engineers

"We can be proud of the good name we have worldwide"

When asked what she herself has to do with water, she replied, "After my European Studies in law, politics and languages, I started working for the Port of Rotterdam Authority. Not only did my studies fit in well with that, but also the fact that I am bilingual. After all, I have my roots in Germany."

Andrea Vollebregt, director of the Association of Hydraulic Engineers.

Speaking is Andrea Vollebregt, director of the Association of Hydraulic Engineers. She succeeds Edwin Lokkerbol in that position. "At the Port of Rotterdam Authority, I was responsible for External Affairs in Germany, with the aim of improving the position of the port of Rotterdam at a political and administrative level. In fact, a large part of the transshipment that takes place there is related to Germany. This is how I gained a connection with water."

Keeping the Netherlands dry

"What I like about the Association of Hydraulic Engineers is that together with our members we do comprehensive and important work for BV Nederland. The social importance of the hydraulic engineering sector is great," Andrea continues her story. "For centuries, hydraulic engineers have been contributing to keeping the Netherlands dry and steering the water that has to go somewhere in the right direction."

Added value within the economy

Andrea notes that the hydraulic engineering sector adds value to our economy. "Just look at structural hydraulic engineering, which is vital for future-proofing the port of Rotterdam and keeping our coastline and rivers up to standard. We can be incredibly proud of the good name we have worldwide. The public does not know all that is being done within our beautiful sector, which I sometimes find unfortunate. Only when you work in this sector yourself can you grasp how extensive it all is. That is why I never miss an opportunity to promote the work of our members. I like to tell why we have dry feet in the Netherlands at all."

'There is more to it than meets the eye'

"The job of the Association of Hydraulic Engineers is also to show the world that we do much more than is visible on the surface. 'There is more to it than meets the eye,' we are, for example, building infrastructures that make water transport better. That saves a lot of road transport, that saves a cargo plane. Good for reduced CO₂-emissions and contributing to less traffic congestion," Andrea outlines. "As an association, we represent the interests of our members and we translate for them what is happening outside the sector and what impact that has within our sector. Together with clients, we look at how you can now ensure in a call for tender that sustainability is asked for in a realistic and uniform way, preferably at the European level. We want to create a playing field by forming a bridge between all parties. From the inside out and from the outside in."

Sharing a fair future together

How does Andrea see the future within the hydraulic engineering sector? "It is important in many tenders to come to a better partnership with clients. With fair money, for fair work and investing risks where they can best be managed. Feel free to focus on the combination 'earning, meeting the task, wanting to understand each other and being transparent'. That starts with an open dialogue. In recent years, parties within projects have become increasingly distant from each other. People realize that this has to change. Risks are shifted and thus become unbearable for parties, making it impossible to meet expectations."

Looking at personal competencies

A different way of thinking and dealing with each other is needed, we understand. Andrea agrees and says, "Ask yourself the question, which people do you put on a project now? Look at what personal competencies people have, in addition to professional knowledge. That is an interesting step, which we as an association want to connect to and research."

Centuries of innovation power help Netherlands into new era

In conclusion, Andrea talks about climate issues. "Our members don't talk about problems, they see opportunities. They have been keeping the Netherlands dry for centuries by continuously innovating. There is confidence in the sector. We are convinced that we can help the Netherlands move forward, into the next era. That requires innovation and adaptation, which is what we are good at."