AES El Salvador and ISDEMU graduate the 8th class of female electricians

October 24, 2023

With this new generation of technicians, female empowerment spreads throughout the country to increase the job opportunities of Salvadoran women in the electrical sector and promote their sustainable and inclusive economic development.

AES El Salvador together with the Salvadoran Institute for the Development of Women (ISDEMU) and the General Superintendence of Electricity and Telecommunications (SIGET) graduated 116 women as fourth category electrical technicians. This new group of women is aimed at transforming the landscape of the country's electricity sector to accelerate the future of energy.

“As a company we are proud to be facilitators of real and sustainable opportunities, of spaces so that Salvadoran women can develop their full potential, acquire technical knowledge and strengthen their economic independence, empowering them to make their way in the electrical sector and shine in this sector. field that has been traditionally practiced by men,” said Executive President of AES El Salvador, Abraham Bichara.

The graduates obtained the accreditation that empowers them to carry out reliable and safe residential electrical installations. Additionally, for the second consecutive year, they received the specialization in “Reading and Load Censuses” to have greater opportunities for job placement in the electrical sector.
 
Of the total electrical professionals, AES said that 43 come from the central region of the country, 39 women from the west and 34 from the east of El Salvador. Regardless of geographical differences, new electricians share the vision of breaking molds and stereotypes through quality technical education.

For Erika Coca, one of the graduates, this program promotes inclusion and economic development, especially for women living in rural areas of El Salvador. “This course will allow us to offer our technical services in the communities where we live. Now, rural women are more empowered and ready to open spaces in this profession where the majority who practice it are men,” said Erika.

Since 2016, the AES Mujer program represents AES El Salvador's commitment to inclusion in the Salvadoran electricity sector. The success stories that precede this initiative inspire us to continue betting on quality education for the benefit of Salvadoran women and the entire country.

Eight years of inclusion and social development for Salvadoran women

Technical training courses as electricians run by the AES Mujer program began eight years ago. Since that date, 748 Salvadoran women have been certified as electrical technicians and many of them have been able to enter the electrical field.

Pilar Sarmiento managed to start her own business thanks to the knowledge received from her. She graduated as an electrician in 2022. That was the beginning of her path in the energy field. She began doing residential electrical installations and later also became certified as a welder. The combination of this knowledge of hers gave her the confidence and determination to start her own business.

“Thanks to the AES courses I already have my electrician seal, which allows me to offer my knowledge to people who live in the community. Many clients express admiration for what I do. I learned all this thanks to AES,” said Pilar.

This is how the talent, energy of these women and technical education are intertwined again to boost economic development in El Salvador's electrical sector.