Paracatu recently celebrated the graduation of over 60 students who participated in the Integrar ‘youth entrepreneurship and employability program,’ which aims to develop skills and provide training to prepare young people entering the workforce.

The three-stage program begins with students examining local job markets and prospective careers of interest. The second stage involves helping students to develop their own business ideas and methods for employment, and the final stage supports students as they generate connections with local businesses to pursue careers that can lead to full-time employment.

A series of six workshops were developed for students including personal and professional development, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, business planning and resume development.

“Our goal is to enrich the youth of our community and provide them with the proper tools to be successful in careers of their choice,” said Ana Cunha, Director, Government Relations and Corporate Responsibility.“We are proud to see an increase in the students’ self-esteem by recognizing their skills and potential to reach their goals through our workshops.”

The feedback received by students has exceeded expectations and demonstrates our commitment to leaving a lasting impact and empowering our communities.

Founded in 2011, the Integrar program is a community development program that partners with local schools in the Paracatu community to provide resources and support the development of education, physical activity and environmental management in the region.