Gerard van Raalte graduated from Delft University of Technology in 1976 with a MSc in Civil Engineering (Coastal). He worked for 2 years as Project Engineer for Delft Geotechnics, followed by 8 years for Breejenbout Dredging Company. In 1986 he moved to Hydronamic bv, Port & Waterway Engineers, a subsidiary of Royal Boskalis Westminster. In 1996-97 he was assigned to Øresund Tunnel Contractors, contributing to the development of the Marine Works.