Heidy Bernal: Industrial Electrician
As an Industrial Electrician at Actemium, the 28-year-old Heidy is responsible for the construction, installation, maintenance and repair of electrical installations on industrial sites. At the TotalEnergies site in Antwerp, she installs cable trays, pulls and installs cables and connects electrical cabinets and distribution boxes. She also tests electrical circuits and ensures that everything functions correctly and safely.
“I did not come from a technical background and still my colleagues were incredibly supportive.”
- Name: Heidy Bernal
- Age: 28
- Studies: Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Industrial Instrumentation (Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje, SENA) & a basic course in electricity (VDAB)
- Function: Industrial Electrician
- Hobbies: Boxing, cooking and road biking
How did your passion for technology develop?
Heidy: My interest in electricity started early on, because my family had a strong background in technology. My dad and uncles worked in electricity and construction. Watching them work and listening to their explanations sparked my curiosity about how installations work. During my final years of high school, I therefore made a conscious decision to pursue a career in electricity. My dad always encouraged me and never doubted my abilities because of my gender. After my studies, I took a technical course at the SENA institute in Colombia, which I combined with two jobs. That period not only gave me a strong technical foundation, but also discipline and perseverance. The real turning point came when I moved to Belgium through an exchange program, because I wanted to discover other cultures, improve my language skills and broaden my horizons. I had to start all over again. Through a basic course in electricity at VDAB, I not only received technical training, but also the confidence to take the step to join Actemium. The fact that someone believed in me made a world of difference.
You are often the only woman on the industrial site. How does that affect your professional experience?
Heidy: The fact that I am often the only woman on the work site does not feel strange to me today, it is more of a reality that has shaped me. At first, you notice the looks and sometimes assumptions about physical strength, but I let my work speak for itself. By being confident in what I do, I surprise my colleagues: I pull heavy cables, work at heights and take on technical challenges without hesitation. That respect grows quickly when people see what I can do. Of course, there are times when you want to try harder to prove that you are competent, but my team at TotalEnergies is open and empathetic. That dynamic makes it easier to be yourself and shows that diversity on the site is not a burden but an asset.
What does this campaign mean to you?
Heidy: I find the Women in Technology campaign valuable because it shows that women not only have a place in technical professions, but that they can also excel in them and inspire others. By putting a woman in the spotlight every month, VINCI Energies shows how diverse and rich the technical world is and challenges the stereotype that technology is something ‘for men’. This motivates young women and shows them what is possible. It is inspiring to see how women combine technical work with a rich personal life; for me, that is true empowerment. My most important message to young women is: dare to try. Do not let doubts or what others think hold you back. You never know where your passion and perseverance can take you, even if you make mistakes along the way. Whether you grew up here or come from somewhere else, a technical career can be your place too. If my story can help even one woman dare to take that step, then that is already very valuable to me.
