Rio State Offers New Professional Courses in UPP Areas

By Lisa Flueckiger, Senior Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The state of Rio de Janeiro will enter into cooperation with Faetec and the Ministry of Labor to offer new professional courses for residents in 22 areas with a Pacifying Police Unit (UPP). Governor Luiz Fernando Pezão signed the agreement for the new classes on Thursday, August 27th.

“We have seen that when these young people have a profession, they can access the labor market faster. Companies are eager for qualified people, even in this difficult time for the country, and I am a witness of Faetec’s effort to increasingly educate our young people,” Pezão said about the courses.

The new classes offered by Faetec are part of the National Plan of Qualification by the Ministry of Labor and will receive funds from the Fund for Workers (FAT). They are aiming at educating young people and creating new work opportunities, as well as bringing income to the pacified communities.

“One of our main commitments has always been the provision of education. In pacified areas, it doesn’t help if the police go in, if afterwards services don’t follow. What we are signing today is just that. A partnership of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Faetec and the Ministry of Labor that will ensure more jobs for the residents of these communities [and that they] have the opportunity to qualify for the labor market,” Secretary for Science, Technology and Innovation, Gustavo Tutuca, added.

Courses offered will include professions working with crafts with recyclable material, whole food utilization, sewing and as maid in lodging facilities, butler, receptionist, administrative assistant and shopkeeper. They were chosen with the help of the communities and their needs.

Applicants who are currently unemployed or already registered in the National System for Employment (SINE) will receive preference for the classes. And according to Secretary for Labot and Income, Arolde de Oliveira, the state plans to expand the model to the interior of the state at a later stage.

The communities that will benefit from the courses are Complexo do Alemão, Andaraí/São João, Arará/Mandela and Manguinhos, Borel and Salgueiro, Camarista/Méier, Jacarezinho, Macacos, Caju and Mangueira, Vila Cruzeiro, Providência, Prazeres, Batan, Cidade de Deus, Vila Kennedy, Chapéu Mangueira/Babilônia, Pavão/Pavãozinho, Cantagalo, Santa Marta and Complexo da Mangueirinha.