Some careers begin with a blueprint. Others start with a question.

For Ben Van Oevelen, Engineering Consultant at Pauwels Consulting, it was curiosity that sparked his shift from design to construction planning. Today, he’s not just contributing to one of the largest chemical construction sites in Belgium, he’s helping plan it.

From Design Thinking to Engineering Doing

Ben’s background in interior and spatial design might seem unconventional in the engineering world. But it’s exactly that creative foundation, structured thinking, user-centric problem-solving, that now drives his success in a highly technical environment.

“When I moved into construction planning, I brought a different lens,” Ben explains.

Now embedded in a major industrial site in the Port of Antwerp, Ben works closely with experienced engineers and planners. His role? Monitor progress. Adjust timelines. Keep every stakeholder aligned. On a site where safety, scale, and speed intersect, precision isn’t optional, it’s everything.

Why the Chemical Industry Needs Agile Minds

In large-scale chemical projects, even a one-day delay can cost €200,000 to €500,000 in lost productivity, idle resources, and compliance penalties.¹ Timelines are tight. Regulations are strict. Complexity is the norm. And there’s no margin for siloed thinking.

That’s where consultants like Ben make the difference.

Even early in his career, he’s contributing from day one. His adaptability, analytical mindset, and hunger to learn make him a reliable partner on site. “I enjoy seeing how theory meets practice,” he says. “Every day, I’m learning, not just technically, but in how I communicate, how I coordinate.”

At Pauwels Consulting, we don’t just place people on projects. We empower them to grow inside them.

Consultants Backed by Real Support

What sets Ben’s journey apart isn’t just the project, it’s the support behind it. He stays in close contact with our back-office team, who help him navigate challenges, plan next steps, and build a career, not just a CV.

We believe growth shouldn’t be left to chance. Through mentoring, coaching, and a clear development path, our consultants get the tools, and the trust, to thrive.

Results Through People

For clients in pharma, biotech, chemicals, and food, success often hinges on the right expertise at the right time. That’s our role: connecting agile minds like Ben’s with complex challenges that demand more than just technical skills, they demand ownership.

Planning. Communication. Execution. The human element is what keeps industrial projects on track, and that’s exactly what our consultants bring.

Ben’s journey proves it: you don’t need a traditional background to make an impact. You need curiosity, support, and the right environment to grow. At Pauwels Consulting, we’re proud to offer all three.

And for Ben? This is just the beginning. Because when you empower the right people they don’t just grow into the role. They grow the project, the team, and the results.

¹ Estimate based on industry benchmarks and EPC project data for large-scale chemical construction projects (sources: McKinsey & Co., Chemical Engineering World, BASF & Shell project reports).