According to the 2023 School Census, 2.4 million students in Brazil enrolled in vocational education, including technical and vocational courses. This number represents a 27.5% increase compared to the previous year. The census, produced by the Ministry of Education, also indicates that the vocational fields of "industrial control and processes" and "environment and health" have a high number of enrollments.

Vocational education is the focus of Hydro's Professional Training Program, an integrated aluminum company operating in Pará, in partnership with Senai, in the municipalities of Ipixuna, Abaetetuba, Moju, and Acará. "The objective is to offer vocational courses to residents of communities near our operations, leaving a legacy of knowledge that supports economic and social development sustainably. It is a strategic pillar of Hydro to contribute to quality education, and each training program realizes a dream developed through dialogue and active listening," says Nelia Lapa, vice president of People, Communication, Health, and Safety at Hydro.

The most recent class, certified on April 19th in the Confectioner course, was composed of residents from the quilombola territory of Jambuaçu, in the municipality of Moju. Maria de Fátima Correia, from the Nossa Senhora das Graças community, was one of the 30 people who obtained her certificate valid throughout the national territory: "I brought my son to receive this honor with me, and it was very emotional. I am 59 years old and never thought I could take a course like this that will help me so much at home and professionally."

Since 2021, Hydro's Professional Training Program has benefited more than 350 people with a wide variety of courses. In addition to the confectioner course, 16 communities also had training in areas such as backhoe operator, administrative assistant, welder, motorcycle maintenance mechanic, among others, all in partnership with Senai and aligned with the demands of each community. In 2023 alone, the company invested more than BRL 1.5 million in the program.

To make all this possible, Senai's mobile training unit was taken to the Rural Family House, a space located in Jambuaçu, to facilitate student access. Since the beginning, in addition to offering courses based on conversations to identify community demands, Hydro and Senai have sought to reach them. "Over the years of the program, we have faced dirt roads, set up a computer lab on a pier along the Moju River, among other challenges. The most important thing is the satisfaction of the students in completing a qualification course and being prepared for the job market. It is worth noting that many have been hired by companies operating in the region, which is the main legacy left by the Hydro and Senai partnership for quilombola communities," explains Gil Tavares, pedagogical technical coordinator of Senai Barcarena.

"This project has helped many people, truly opening doors for us who want to work, have children at home, and cannot be constantly traveling. This way, we help with the family income, pay the bills, and also help each other. This course has expanded my knowledge and my desire to have a profession and contribute to my family and community," says Ana Evelyn Cardoso, a resident of the Santo Cristo community.