To enhance technical training and encourage more female involvement in the electrical sector, Enel Distribución's "Energía con Fuerza Local" (Energy with Local Talent) program has launched a new edition in partnership with Santo Tomás University.
The students in the program received their diplomas for the Low Voltage Underground Network Maintenance course, an initiative that seeks to address the gender gap in the sector, where only 7% of women enroll in technical careers related to electricity, and globally, female participation in the energy industry is only between 22% and 26%.
Against this backdrop, since 2021, Enel Distribución has sought to create new opportunities for specialized training that combines technical knowledge with practical experience in an area crucial to the resilience of the electricity system.
During the course, participants learn to identify electrical components in low-voltage underground networks, interpret electrical plans and diagrams, make splices and connections, and perform installation and maintenance in the field in accordance with safety standards and current regulations.
Sofía Bustamante, one of the certified students, highlighted the program's importance, stating, "I learned how underground networks are actually set up. I knew something about electricity, but I didn't know the differences in cable diameters or the number of standards that exist. I'm in my senior year of high school, and this course will be beneficial to me when I start working or continue studying in the future." Regarding her motivation, she added: "It's a very male-dominated field, but it has always interested me. I was given the opportunity, and I wanted to do it."
The program is aimed at individuals interested in working as electrical assistants, students working toward technical degrees in the field, and professionals looking to specialize in low-voltage underground networks.