Javiera Orellana, a student in Duoc UC’s Electrical and Industrial Automation Technician program, had already visited the Operational Excellence Center while she was in school. Returning now as a higher education student lets her continue deepening her knowledge.
“Last year, I came as a student from my high school. Coming back is a great opportunity because now I’m representing a higher education institution like Duoc UC, and I can keep learning about electricity and this wonderful field.”
Participants also value the trainers’ experience. In addition to providing technical knowledge, the instructors share lessons learned throughout their careers in the electric power industry.
“The instructor has a lot of experience and is very good. We want to make the most of the knowledge he’s sharing with us so we can continue to grow in this field, which is very rewarding.”
This exchange allows students to supplement the material covered in class with experiences related to the day-to-day operations of an electric utility.
Technical knowledge with a focus on safety
The first stage of the training covers single-phase and three-phase service connections in both overhead and underground installations. In addition to the technical aspects, students learn how to properly use personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow the procedures required to perform each task safely.
“In this first phase, we’re working with both single-phase and three-phase service connections, including overhead and underground connections. We also want to teach them that safety must always come before any work we do.”
In this way, the training process is not limited to performing a task. It also aims to help students understand the importance of identifying risks, properly using personal protective equipment, and adopting preventive practices from the start of their professional careers.
A partnership between education and industry
The Operational Excellence Center aims to help ensure that Enel Distribución’s operations have technicians who are prepared and aligned with the technical and safety standards required to work in the field.
Including higher education students expands the reach of this effort and strengthens collaboration among the company, academic institutions, and the industrial sectorl.
“The Center’s primary purpose is to ensure that our operations have the best technicians working in the field. With the Energy of the Future 2026 program, we’re taking a very important step for education in Chile. Enel Distribución is leading a partnership between the education sector and industry to train the first generation of higher-education electrical technicians to go through the Center.”
The training will allow students to learn in advance about the demands of the working world, develop new skills, and reinforce the knowledge they have acquired during their studies.
At the same time, the initiative helps prepare technicians to meet the challenges of an industry that needs specialized professionals who are committed to safety and ready to support the evolution of the electrical system.
With this first cohort of higher education students, the Operational Excellence Center is expanding its educational contribution and strengthening its ties with academia. This experience connects education with industry and gives future technicians the opportunity to learn, gain hands-on experience, and envision a future in the electric power sector.