Judith Chovil, Executive Director of the Colombian Association of Corrosion Engineers (ACICOR) and representative of AMPP in Colombia, spoke with the Inspenet team about the strategic role of corrosion training in the development of technical skills, global labor access and the promotion of professional ethics within the industrial sector.
The conversation took place during the AMPP LatinCORR + Panamerican Corrosion Conference in Panama, where the presence of women and young people in technical roles marked a turning point. The director explained how ACICOR has created a training system aligned with international standards, capable of preparing competitive professionals anywhere in the world.
ACICOR is the official representative in Colombia of AMPP, formerly known as NACE International and SSPC, which gives them an extremely important impact on technical training in corrosion within the country. The association is authorized to dictate official AMPP courses, which are recognized in more than 130 countries, such as courses of industrial coatings, cathodic protection, internal corrosion inspection, global technical standards, among others.
Although AMPP establishes the technical contents, ACICOR contextualizes them to the Colombian industrial reality, allowing the professionals not only to learn the universal principles of corrosion control but also understand how to apply them in environments such as the Caribbean coast, high-humidity industrial zones, or national energy infrastructure. Judith Chovil commented that there are numerous cases of Colombian technicians certified by ACICOR-AMPP who are now working in countries such as Mexico, Oman, Canada, Spain, the United States and Australia.
This recognition has led companies in the hydrocarbon, energy and infrastructure sectors to see corrosion training as an essential tool to reduce technical risks and improve their long-term profitability.
Judith Chovil also commented on how ethics is a mandatory requirement for AMPP certifications, so no professional can obtain an international AMPP certification without having previously passed a professional ethics course, which covers:
In addition, Judith explained that some companies in Colombia have their own ethics programs that have been approved by AMPP. If these programs meet the required standards, workers do not need to repeat the official AMPP course, but they do need to demonstrate that they have been ethically trained.
Throughout the interview, it was emphasized that the female presence in the field of corrosion has undergone a remarkable change in recent decades, especially in Latin America and, in particular, in Colombia. This progress has been driven by educational, cultural and economic factors, and also by the work of organizations such as ACICOR and AMPP.
Historically, corrosion-related technical industries were dominated by men, both in the field and in laboratories, supervision and management. Women now have access to technical courses, international certifications (such as AMPP) and engineering training, which was previously less common due to economic or social barriers.
Judith pointed out that today many women are heads of households and see corrosion engineering as a way to contribute to the household with economic independence and job mobility, and although there is still a salary and opportunity gap, the discourse on equality of conditions has been strengthened, and there are women earning the same as men in similar positions.
Another pillar of ACICOR's work is early education, which is reflected in the development of student chapters in Colombian universities, considered as "hotbeds" of talent. These groups not only receive training, but also have the opportunity to participate in real company projects, generating concrete solutions to specific corrosion problems.
Thanks to this strategy, corrosion training also becomes an effective job placement policy for new generations of engineers and technicians.
During the conversation they also discussed the upcoming XCORROSION 2025 Congress, to be held on September 24, 25 and 26 in Barranquilla. This event seeks to update knowledge in corrosion control technologies, share experiences among companies and provide an exhibition space for students and professionals.
The work of ACICOR and AMPP in Colombia goes beyond teaching courses, its mission is to sow a technical and ethical culture that transforms the industry from the root. From classrooms to oil pipelines, through international auditoriums and laboratories, corrosion training remains a strategic tool for change, development and equity.
Judith Chovil represents that integral vision that connects knowledge, ethics, gender and future and under her leadership, Colombia strengthens its network of experts capable of facing the challenges of corrosion with professionalism and social conscience.
For more content about LatinCORR 2025, please visit our LinkedIn profile.
Source: Inspenet.
