The inaugural class marks the start of the training program for 105 participants selected from among nearly 700 applicants
On Monday (the 17th), at the Paranaguá Youth Center, the inaugural class of the Leme Paranaguá Project took place—an initiative that offers free training to young people and adults interested in port operations. In this first phase, the project received nearly 700 applications for 105 spots. The classes will be divided into four cycles, held between August and November, totaling more than 400 opportunities.
Fully funded by the China Merchants Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the China Merchants Group, the project is supported by TCP, the operator of the Paranaguá Container Terminal, as well as through a partnership with the Paranaguá City Government, via the Municipal Secretariat of Labor and Innovation (Setrin). Coordination is handled by Valor com Propósito and ABIS, while the technical content is developed by CECONPORT, an institution specializing in training professionals in the port sector.
For TCP, supporting vocational training initiatives is a way to contribute directly to the city’s development and to the preparation of a skilled workforce. “The growth of the port sector depends on people who are trained and prepared to keep pace with the evolution of operations. The Leme Paranaguá Project was designed so that more people can see a sector that is constantly evolving as a real opportunity for professional growth,” says Rafael Stein, TCP’s institutional and legal superintendent.
During the first day of activities, students participated in an immersion program focused on developing skills such as communication, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and teamwork. The project’s methodology combines technical port training with personal development, preparing participants for the challenges and opportunities of the job market.
The students’ enthusiasm demonstrates the initiative’s transformative potential. For many participants, the course represents a gateway to an industry that drives the local economy and creates opportunities. “Today, I’m seeking to gain knowledge, experience, and new opportunities to start my career in the port sector. I also want to finish high school and take courses to be better prepared to enter the job market. I’m very happy with this experience, and I was even able to bring my six-month-old daughter along. I asked if I could bring her, and they welcomed me with open arms. For me, this is very important because I’m thinking about my own growth and, above all, her well-being. I want to gain knowledge and build a career so I can provide a better future for both of us,” says Sara Machado dos Santos, a participant in the first class of Port Operations Assistants in the Leme Paranaguá Project.
At the end of the training program, students will receive two certificates: one for technical port training in the areas of Port Warehouse Inspector, Gate Operations Assistant, or Port Operations Assistant, and another for social-emotional skills, totaling 20 hours of training.
Photo: Moisés Zanardo / PMP
