Petrobras-Sponsored Course Trained, Educated, and Certified Nearly One Thousand Women Who Can Work and Start Businesses in Gastronomy

In Addition to Promoting Professional Qualification Courses, the “Hands-On” Project Addresses Topics Such as Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

Selected in the Petrobras Socioenvironmental Program and executed by the Multiplicar Women’s Association, from Canoas, the “Hands-On” project will hold its second virtual graduation next Saturday (06/25) at 6 PM. The project began in 2020 and, due to the pandemic, had to reformulate its actions to a remote model.

The readjustment ended up allowing for an increase in the number of participants, extending the coverage area to Esteio and benefiting more than 750 women so far. It was developed primarily to serve low-income women, offering free training in the fields of gastronomy and entrepreneurship, creating opportunities for income generation and economic autonomy.

There will be 246 female students certified who completed courses in Diet Planning with Restrictions, Entrepreneurship, Nutrition Attendant, Food Utilization, Cookery, Processing of Fruits and Vegetables, Breads, Cakes, and Homemade Pasta. In addition to promoting professional qualification courses, the “Hands-On” project aims to address themes such as gender equality, women’s empowerment, early childhood care, access to justice, and sustainable development in workshops.

Petrobras-Sponsored Project Promotes Citizenship and Income Generation

There are many experiences of women who are already practicing what they learned in the courses. Adriana Knack, a cook for ten years, is one example: “I completed three courses in the project and I am already applying what I learned. In fact, my current job owes a lot to the Breads, Cakes, and Pastas course; it was a differentiator. The classes are rich in detail and very well structured.”

Luciane Santos, who took the Nutrition Attendant course, reports that the project came as an opportunity in a difficult time: “My family was unemployed, and the techniques I learned helped me in my pastry business, which I run by order, as well as in the healthy eating aspect of the nursery where I teach. I always give the nutritionist some ideas; it’s really nice,” she states.

Nail technician Fabiana Goulart, who lives in the Guajuviras neighborhood of Canoas, shares that the Entrepreneurship course has helped her think more strategically about the steps she takes: “For me, the project has been wonderful. I have been more careful with the professional decisions I make, with more planning and organization. The commitment of the teachers allows us to even think about online sales and digital marketing.”

Eva Regina saw the free courses of “Hands-On” as an opportunity she couldn’t waste. When she joined the project, with three children and unemployed, she decided to invest in her training: “I saw a light at the end of the road; it gave me hope and filled me with purpose. In fact, it was the same feeling for many other women in the course. I loved every day of the course. The perspective helps to regain self-confidence,” she assures.

The project coordinator, Mariele Klein, states that the objectives have been achieved: “We generated opportunities for knowledge, economic empowerment, and financial autonomy for the participants. We are very satisfied.”  

Socioenvironmental Program Is Part of the Portfolio of Initiatives Focused on Job and Income Generation; For Preparing for the Exercise of Citizenship

The General Manager of Refap, Gerson Cesar Souza, emphasizes the importance of Petrobras’ sponsorship. “The ‘Hands-On’ project is an example of the company’s support for projects that generate income and enhance local characteristics, benefiting communities near Refap.”

Through the Petrobras Socioenvironmental Program, Petrobras supports socio-environmental solutions in various locations across the country, through partnerships with civil society organizations. Initiatives focused on job and income generation; for preparing for the exercise of citizenship; for the care of children and adolescents; for the conservation of coastal and marine biodiversity; and for the recovery of forests and natural areas, among others, are part of the portfolio.