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The metalworking industry in Piracicaba faces a shortage of 3 qualified professionals, as a result of the lack of interest and qualification in traditional professions. To meet this demand, unions and local companies promote collective efforts and training projects, aiming to align market needs with the supply of specialized labor.
Piracicaba, one of the main industrial hubs in State of São Paulo, faces a crisis in the metal-mechanical sector.
The lack of qualified professionals has created a bottleneck in hiring, leaving around 1,5 thousand open positions in the city.
This phenomenon is directly related to the rapid automation of industrial processes and the difficulty in finding qualified workers to operate new technologies.
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Technological advancement and the lack of professional workforce
According to a report by G1 portal, Erick Gomes, president of the Union of Metallurgical, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, Steel and Foundry Industries of Piracicaba (Simespi), explained that technological evolution was accelerated and impacted the need for worker training.
“A very simple example: in the past, you cut sheet metal with a blowtorch. Twenty years later, oxyfuel cutting, plasma cutting and now laser machines came along. The change in technology was very drastic and rapid.”, Explica.
With the replacement of traditional techniques by automated systems, the requirement for qualification has grown exponentially.
Companies are looking for professionals with knowledge in software implementation and use of materials to operate new machines.
However, the available workforce does not keep up with this evolution, making hiring a constant challenge.
Initiatives to meet demand
To get around this situation, some initiatives have emerged in an attempt to train new professionals.
Two years ago, the “Industry of Tomorrow” project was created, a partnership between unions, the National Industrial Training Service (SENAI), the Diocese of Piracicaba and the Army of Formiguinhas entity. The goal is to train teenagers from local communities to work in the sector.
“We seek out teenagers in the communities and train them at Senai, all free of charge. Senai gives us the jobs, we provide uniforms, transportation, food and even a basic food basket to help. In two years, we have trained more than 300 teenagers and, of these, almost 150 are employed.”, says Erick Gomes.
Despite the effort, the high employee turnover prevents a balance in filling vacancies.
High turnover makes it difficult to balance the market
Even with training programs, the sector still suffers from workforce instability.
According to data from the General Register of Employed and Unemployed Persons (Caged), from the Ministry of Labor and Employment, the metallurgy sector recorded a negative balance of 26 vacancies in 2024. There were 506 hires and 532 dismissals during the period.
Erick Gomes attributes this oscillation to two main factors: job exchange for higher wages and FGTS withdrawals.
“What is the big problem today? You bring people in, but there is always someone who will leave. These negative vacancies are most likely due to people resigning to get the severance pay. The population is very indebted.”, Explica.
In addition, professionals seek better salaries in other companies, even if the difference is small.
Impact of high interest rates on the sector
Another factor that influences the recovery of the metal-mechanical sector in Piracicaba is the high interest rate in Brazil.
According to Erick Gomes, many industries are interested in expanding, but economic instability makes investments difficult.
“The sector is booming and, in fact, a multinational that was in ABC Paulista is coming to Piracicaba. But you need to have the capacity to invest. In the current scenario, this is complicated due to the high interest rate”, highlights.
The sector's expectation is that, with the reduction in interest rates, industrial investment grow again, expanding opportunities for new professionals.
However, to meet growing demand, it will be essential to strengthen training programs and attract more workers to the segment.
I am Mozambican, I need a job vacancy.
I am a mechanical maintenance technician.
Man, companies don't disclose the prerequisites for the positions they open. I'm an electrical technician and occupational safety technician and I can't find a job in that area because they require between 1 and 2 years of experience. Much of this is a reflection of the difficulty they create in hiring.
Salary gap is the main cause, in the 90s I worked as a welder and earned on average 5 minimum wages, today there are welding supervisors who earn 4 minimum wages!!!