There are people whose knowledge does not come from a classroom, but from decades of accumulated experience in the field. Bernardino Peralta is one of them. Born in Lota and trained from a very young age in the world of work, he has built a career spanning more than four decades, marked by observation, discipline, and a constant willingness to learn by doing.
His story began in non-metallic mining, where, still a teenager, he took on responsibilities that today would seem unthinkable for someone his age. Over time, that experience led him to participate in the construction of forest roads, engineering projects associated with the Ministry of Public Works, and large earthmoving operations linked to the urban and real estate development of Greater Concepción.
This journey progressively expanded his knowledge and responsibilities, starting a professional path that would ultimately connect him for over 44 years to the Corral family and the development of various productive operations.
One of the projects he remembers with the greatest pride was his participation in major river channeling and earthmoving works in the Biobío Region. "I didn't have formal studies, but I learned by working with engineers, observing how they solved problems and understanding why they did things a certain way," he recalls. That ability to observe, learn, and apply knowledge in the field shaped a practical experience that would eventually become one of his main professional assets.
The value of experience
Over the years, he developed an uncommon ability to interpret terrains, project solutions, and coordinate work teams. Many of these skills were not learned from books or formal courses, but directly in the field, where experience became his main source of learning.
Today, Bernardino continues to travel roads, supervise operations, and support problem-solving in the field. However, those who work with him highlight something more important than his technical knowledge: his constant willingness to teach.
His leadership has never been based on titles or formal authority, but on experience and example. "I have always liked to observe the terrain conditions, understand the processes, and analyze what we want to achieve before making decisions. For me, planning has been key. When work is well planned from the start, better results are usually obtained. I believe one of my strengths has been precisely the ability to analyze the whole, understand the existing conditions and constraints, and propose the best way to do things," he comments.
Over the years, he has also become a reference for younger workers, sharing knowledge and experiences accumulated over decades. "I have always been an open book. I believe an important part of this stage of my life is to share what I have learned and help others develop based on that experience," he states.
As long as they need me
After more than four decades of work, Bernardino acknowledges that at some point he would like to slow down. However, he still feels the same responsibility that has accompanied him throughout his working life: to be available when experience, judgment, and problem-solving ability are needed.
Much of the knowledge that is now part of the operation is not written in manuals. It is learning accumulated over years of fieldwork, observation, and solving challenges that only experience allows one to understand in depth. Therefore, more than a position or a specific function, Bernardino represents a source of practical knowledge that continues to add value to those who work alongside him.
His story also reflects a common reality in the forestry and operational world: often, the people who contribute the most to an organization's development are those who built their experience directly in the field, learning from every project, every mistake, and every challenge faced. "I want to rest, but as long as they need me here, I will be here," he concludes.
The report in theAcoforag Magazine
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