Girls and women in science

At Técnicas Reunidas we firmly believe in the transformative power of education and science to build a more sustainable and innovative future. As part of our commitment, we collaborate with more than 70 universities and technical schools to train new generations of specialists in areas related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This initiative seeks not only to prepare tomorrow’s professionals, but also to reduce the gender gap.

In the context of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we would like to highlight the fundamental role of women in our company. On this occasion, we will have the testimony of women from the Energy Transition Department of Técnicas Reunidas, through whom we will learn how they perceived science when they were children and how they have come to play a key role in the engineering industry. They share with us:

Yrelyn Lizet: “From a young age, I was curious for science. When I was very young, I met a female chemical engineer who showed me how they were improving the quality of products by innovating traditional processes. That experience was a turning point; her enthusiasm in explaining her work inspired me to pursue a scientific career. Today, in the working world, I am still looking for that constant source of inspiration. Every day we face new challenges and opportunities to learn and grow, knowing that our work has a positive impact on society.”

Valva Palencia: “Looking back to the past and reflecting on what made me the woman I am today, I recall Marina’s maths, and Mr.Negro’s chemistry classes. In the afternoons I would sit at my desk and enjoy by calculating integrals and filling in my lab notebook. Later came college, when energy and the environment filled my life. But my real passion came when I started working and сcommissioning renewable plants on my occasional trips. I wake up in the morning and I feel privileged for what I do, thinking what I can contribute to make this world more sustainable”.

Laura Ramírez: “When the moment came to decide what to study, I had high expectations of choosing a career that would allow me to contribute to the progress and well-being of people and the environment. That is why I opted for chemical sciences, I believe that having female references close to me in scientific-technical careers is fundamental for a girl. In my case, my older sister was my closest reference.

Although my generation wasn’t the first to break gender barriers in this sector, it was among the first in which women started to take on roles in the workforce with greater strength.”

Estefania Ortega: “Daughter of a mechanic and a seamstress, as a child I had never met an engineer, but I did have my father at home. I would go with him to his workshop, I loved watching him  disassemble the engines and understanding how they worked. With this motivation since I was a child, I became interested in the world of ingenuity and science. Currently, I continue with this same motivation, developing energy transition engineering projects, most of which have not yet been built in the world and are not expected to be built until 2030.

When I talk to my father and explain how H2 cars work and what the transportation network will look like in the future, the projects I’m developing, etc., I can see how excited he is to see his little girl.”

Raquel Paul: “I remember thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up. Among other childhood dreams, the idea of doing something that combined chemistry with ‘inventing’ to improve the world grew stronger—possibly thanks to my science teacher, Don Luis”.

After having worked many years as a process engineer, I have started a new stage in Energy Transition, as my 5 year old daughter says: “Mommy is now going to remove the dirty air from the earth”. This approach makes me more excited about science and my childhood”.

Berta Carbonel: “I have had the passion for science and the desire to understand the world since I was a child. That interest led me to choose Chemical Engineering, a career full of challenges and constant learning. Today, at the age of 24, I work at Técnicas Reunidas and I have seen that the real value in engineering is not in gender, but in talent and dedication. I feel fortunate to be part of a team of exceptional women whose leadership and ability to meet challenges inspire me every day.”

This initiative is fully aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 10 (Reducing Inequalities). It highlights the fundamental role of women in science and technology, by promoting a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable future for generations to come.

At Técnicas Reunidas, we reaffirm our commitment to equal opportunities and the promotion of female talent in science. We believe in the importance of inspiring new generations and in the need to continue building an environment in which girls and young women can imagine and achieve a future in the world of science without barriers or limitations. Together, we will continue working to ensure that talent and passion are always the driving force behind progress.