Supported by TCP, China Merchants Foundation’s initiative Paranaguá Project offers free training for youth to enter the port sector invests over R$ 500,000 in the project
Registration is now open for the Leme Paranaguá Project, a non-profit initiative that will offer over 400 free training spots for youth and adults interested in entering or expanding their knowledge of port activities. Fully funded by the China Merchants Foundation (CMF), the philanthropic arm of the China Merchants Group (CMG), the program is supported by TCP, the company that manages the Paranaguá Container Terminal. This represents an investment of over R$ 500,000 in education, professional qualification, and social development. Applications must be submitted online between July 21 and August 9, with the first class scheduled to begin on August 17 at the Paranaguá Youth Center (Centro da Juventude de Paranaguá).
The initiative is CMF’s first project in Brazil through the international “C Me Fly” program, which focuses on the educational empowerment of young people through skills development, vocational training, and social inclusion. The choice of Paranaguá was strategic. Besides being a city whose economy is directly linked to port activities, TCP has been part of the China Merchants Port Holding Company (CMPort) portfolio since 2018—a China Merchants Group company responsible for operating ports in several countries.
The City of Paranaguá and the Municipal Secretariat of Labor and Innovation (Setrin) are also official supporters of the project. Project coordination is led by Valor com Propósito and ABIS, which are also responsible for selecting participants. Meanwhile, CECONPORT is in charge of the technical content of the training courses.
Training aligned with industry demands
Over four cycles between August and November, the project will offer 105 spots per month, distributed across three shifts (morning, afternoon, and evening). Each class will last one week, and students can choose from three training tracks: Port Warehouse Clerk, Gate Operational Assistant, and Port Operations Assistant. Developed by CECONPORT, a center specialized in training professionals for the sector, the courses cover topics such as storage operations, container handling, occupational safety, boarding and unloading procedures, port documentation, operational equipment, logistics, and gate processes.
Nationally recognized for its port vocation, Paranaguá houses one of Brazil’s main logistics complexes. The municipality plays a strategic role in Brazilian foreign trade, serving as a benchmark in handling frozen meat, refrigerated cargo, vehicle imports, and containers—activities that require increasingly qualified professionals. In this scenario, investing in the training of the local population represents an opportunity to connect young people with a constantly evolving market.
“The development of Paranaguá has always been linked to port activity, and the city’s future also depends on training professionals prepared to keep pace with this sector’s evolution. The Leme Paranaguá Project precisely seeks to connect youth with the opportunities generated by the port, contributing to strengthening the local economy and expanding access to professional qualification,” says Rafael Stein, Institutional and Legal Superintendent at TCP.
Hard skills and soft skills
The methodology of the Leme Paranaguá Project was structured around two complementary pillars: the development of technical skills focused on port operations, and the reinforcement of socio-emotional skills—abilities that are increasingly valued by the job market.
Participants will begin their training with an immersion in socio-emotional skills, addressing topics such as self-leadership, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. Next, the focus shifts to technical port training and building an action plan for each participant’s career path.
Classes will combine lecture-style learning with practical activities. While the technical training will feature teaching materials, handbooks, and audiovisual resources provided by CECONPORT, the human development modules will use group dynamics and experiential activities to stimulate the practical application of the skills developed throughout the week. Upon completion, each participant will receive two certificates: one in Port Technique (12 hours) and another in Socio-emotional Skills (8 hours), totaling 20 hours of training.
“More than just passing on technical knowledge, the project was designed to develop well-rounded professionals. The combination of operational competencies and socio-emotional skills prepares participants to handle the challenges of the port environment, where technical capability, communication, teamwork, and adaptability are increasingly valued,” highlights Stein.
Information & Service
Requirements: Youth and adults aged 16 and older, residing in Paranaguá and the surrounding region.
Capacity: 35 spots per class, 3 classes per cycle (morning, afternoon, and evening), and 105 spots per month.
Total hours: 20 hours.
Certification: Two completion certificates, one for each training module.
Courses offered: Port Warehouse Clerk; Gate Operational Assistant; and Port Operations Assistant.
Start of classes: August 17.
Location: Centro da Juventude de Paranaguá (Paranaguá Youth Center).
Cost: Free of charge.
Registration: From July 20 to August 9. Click here to access the form.
