Jacqueline - Compactor truck driver 

Working as a woman in a man's world? "That's really my thing 

Jacqueline is married and lives in Charlois (Rotterdam). She has been working as a driver for about 30 years. She once trained as a beautician, but soon discovered that a typical woman's world did not suit her. 

A typical working day as a driver 

"Since I was 17, I have been working in the men's world. It really is my thing. I am straightforward. Most of my friends are also men. I went to get my truck driving licence and worked in ship provisioning as a driver for several years." 
Through a former colleague, Jacqueline got in touch with the company. She went to work there and worked as a driver for 13 years. She has enjoyed working at Renewi ever since. 
Her working day usually starts between six and six-thirty. She grabs her bag, takes the key and starts the truck. She checks if there are additional customers in her list and then drives to the first customer with her co-driver to complete the route. Along the way, she chats here and there or has a cup of coffee at regular customers, such as schools, offices and supermarkets. 

No standard job: lots of freedom and responsibility 

"These days, no one is surprised to see a woman riding on the truck. I used to get occasional comments during my ride. Occasionally people still look surprised when I drive through very narrow streets, but then I always think: what you can see through, you can also drive through. Men used to regularly come and provide unsolicited help when I was pulling containers. But if a bin is really too heavy, I am also not afraid to ask for help."