First Job Program begins practical qualification of classes in the retail sector

The creation of job opportunities for people from Sergipe remains a priority for the Government of Sergipe. This Wednesday, the 24th, an integration action was carried out with 78 young people who will begin the practical part of the First Job Program in Cencosud Group supermarkets. The event was promoted by the State Government via the State Secretariat for Labor, Employment and Entrepreneurship (Seteem), in partnership with Cencosud.

The groups that will go through the practical part will work in the store front, pharmacy and perishable areas. The welcoming action represents another step in the qualification training of young people, who participated in the inaugural class in November 2023.

According to governor Fábio Mitidieri, the program is one of the axes that guide the job creation policy in Sergipe. “It is a time of opportunity and transformation. We know how difficult employment is, which is the best social program there is. We seek to understand the difficulties faced by entrepreneurs when hiring and young people when entering the market. The First Employment Program was created with the aim of reconciling these needs. We bring technical experience first, and then practical experience, which is what we are starting now. The time has come for young people to understand their true vocation, because from here it is possible to achieve many other roles. We thank GBarbosa, our partner in creating opportunities”, he highlighted.

During the ceremony, the decree creating the +50 Seal was signed. The initiative recognizes the contribution of companies with more than 50 years of existence in the state, which have made relevant contributions to Sergipe and its people. “Cencosud will be honored with this seal, because it is a company that has been helping Sergipe to grow and develop for 59 years”, added the governor.

The First Job Program covers 382 vacancies in the retail sector in different segments, each with a workload of 400 hours. Qualifications cover the following areas: butcher; delivery attendant; cleaning assistant; confectioner; prevention tax; supermarket operator; pharmacy operator; store operator; perishables operator; logistic assistant; administrative assistant and baker.

For the secretary of Seteem, Jorge Teles, Primeiro Emprego represents a human investment in the future of the population of Sergipe. “The program was designed down to the smallest detail to develop in young people all the skills necessary to enter the job market. Many companies want to hire, but few are available to give them the first chance. The partnerships were personally sought by governor Fábio Mitidieri, who has a special affection for this program. It is a very important day, because students will put into practice what they heard in the classroom, assisted by the best professionals in the state. The main quest is to generate jobs and income and create opportunities”, he pointed out.

Opportunities

The director of the Cencosud/GBarbosa banner, Marcos Femia, highlights that the First Employment Program is an important route for workers to enter the Sergipe market. “We need skilled labor to fill our vacancies. The program provides GBarbosa, through a partnership with the State Government, with access to people with preparation and training time, who effectively seek professional growth within a company that generates opportunities”, he highlighted.

Emily Carvalho, 19 years old, is a student on the Pharmacy Operator course. In her view, the First Job Program is a great opportunity. “We leave high school without any experience. The program gives us a chance to start our professional lives and enter the market, as well as investing more in ourselves,” she said.

In the same course as Emily, Carlos Miguel dos Santos, aged 19, believes that the training will add several skills to his CV. “The program is like a door that opens several other doors. In the practical part, we will be able to make use of all the things we learned in the theoretical part. And there’s also the stock market, which gives us the opportunity to learn how to manage our own money,” he highlighted.

Nayana Araújo is the instructor of the Supermarket Operator class, and accompanied the young people throughout the theoretical part of the course. For her, the beginning of the practical part brings great expectations. “Everyone is very excited. They presented a very promising theoretical conclusion work, and now they will begin the practice with full force. It was a very empowering experience, with a line of knowledge developed in a specific and focused way,” she described.

Program

The First Employment Program was launched in August 2023, with the aim of qualifying Sergipe’s workforce and facilitating the entry of young people into the job market. The forecast is that around five thousand young people will benefit from the program by 2025.

To select participants, who range from 18 to 29 years old, partnerships are established with institutions that aim to add practical and theoretical knowledge of the job market to young people. In addition to qualification, those selected guarantee a financial scholarship for six months, R$500 for technical/middle level and R$750 for higher education.

In the case of the vacancies made available by the Cencosud Group, a trail of knowledge of the skills necessary for young people to perform well was created. At the end of the professional qualification journey, at least 30% of young people will be hired with a formal contract, as determined by the terms of the program.

Photo: Secom Sergipe