The document discusses a lineworkers initiative linked to the just energy transition in coal regions of Chile, in preparation for new HVDC transmission projects requiring a significant labor force. Approximately 2,000 lineworkers are needed for a major construction project starting in 2026, and additional training and qualification measures are highlighted, including public-private partnerships. The initiative seeks to establish a robust training framework and certifications for lineworkers in Chile, drawing from successful international programs.

1. Line Workers Initiative
by the Just Energy Transition in Coal Regions
Interregional Platform
Tomás Gil

2. Source: Sence 2021
Need for new transmission lines in the
country
Variable renewable energy curtailed
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Apr
Jun
Aug
Oct
Dec
Feb
Apr
Jun
Aug
Oct
Dec
Feb
Apr
Jun
Aug
Oct
Dec
Feb
Apr
Jun
Ago
Oct
Dic
2020 2021 2022 2023
VRE
curtailments
(GWh)
Source: Coordinador Eléctrico
Human capital gaps in the electric transmission
system
Lineworkers initiative – Context

3. • HV DC transmission line (600 kV)
• 1342 km of length
• Investment of 1480 USD millions
• Construction is scheduled to start by Q1 2026
• Approximately 2,000 lineworkers will be needed during the
construction period (4 years)
• Subcontractor is planning to bring this workforce from abroad
(India, Colombia and/or Bolivia)
SEIA statistics for other HV transmission projects:
• 5 projects in qualification process for 2,946 million USD in
investments
• 3 projects already approved for 419 million USD of investments
Assuming a 33% of the projects in qualification get constructed and
similar requirements of labor force, additional 2,000 lineworkers
will be required in the near future
HVDC TL Kimal-Lo Aguirre
Lineworkers initiative – Context

4. Nationaly
- No open lineworkers training for line workers
- A lineworkers training center exist in the south of Chile, but belongs to a
transmission company which is not willing to share this experience with the
sector
- No national standard for qualifications required for this job
(qualifications by now are transmission company-based)
Internationaly
- Corporación Tener Futuro, a Colombian non-profit organization,
developed by 2015 a similar initiative in Medellin, Colombia,
partnering with the public sector and private transmission companies
and their subcontractors
- 500+ lineworkers trained with state funding (plenty of which have emigrated
to Chile due to the demand of this job in Chile)
- A total of approximately 8,000 lineworkers trained since 2017
- Starting its second women-focused lineworker training
Fuente: Corporación Tener Futuro
Lineworkers initiative – Context

5. • Financing of subsidies for future training of lineworkers
Ministry of Energy and Chile Valora
• Update of the work skills included in the profile of Lineworkers
in Chile Valora framework
• Definition of the future certifications applicable for Lineworkers
• Coordination and
implementation of the
Lineworker training center for
the transmission sector (In
charge of the Transmission
companies' business
association)
• Support in the implementation of the
training for lineworkers
• To provide physical location for the
training and teaching team
• Transfer of knowledge and best practices for the
implementation of lineworkers training in Chile
• Supporting public-private coordination for the initiavtive
Ongoing Tener Futuro (Col) scope:
• Evaluation of the qualifications and training needs for future
lineworkers in Chile
• Designing of a training curricular framework and
complementary material
• Advise on the design of training facilities
• Train of trainers program for future trainers of the school
Lineworkers initiative – Stakeholders and roles
GIZ
Public
Sector
Technical
training center
Private Sector

6. Start of Kimal – Lo
Aguirre HVDC TL
construction
2026
2025
February 2024:
Meeting MEN, GIZ
& Conexión
June 2024:
Visit to the training center of Tener
Futuro in Colombia to the
lineworkers training of a women-
focused cohort (MEN, GIZ & CFT)
Period as a trainee
Practical
training
Update of the work skills included in the profile of Lineworkers in
Chile Valora framework (MEN & Chile Valora)
Resulting in a certification frame applicable to the lineworkers working in Chile.
In addition, this process enables grants for the training of lineworkers from the
public sector (Chile Valora is a requisite)
Next steps 2024 - 2025:
Implementation of the lineworkers school:
• Transmission companies and CFT to provide the physical
location and the trainer team
• GIZ to support to the Public-Private coordination to enable
potential grants for the lineworkers training in the context of
JET
Today
Setting of the lineworkers school
Homologation of the plan
generated by Tener Futuro to
the certifications of the Chile
Valora process
July 2024:
GIZ supports the process
through the engagement of
Tener Futuro as advisor for
the establishment of a
lineworkers training in Chile
Lineworkers initiative –Timeline