Professional Development Program in the Automotive Sector Offers Job Opportunities for Women

Get To Know The Story Of The Technical Promoter, Recently Hired By Norton Abrasives

The first group of the “Women in Color” project, born from the dream of transforming lives through professional training for the automotive repair and repainting market, formed 14 women who were in vulnerable situations, from communities in São Bernardo do Campo and Guarulhos (SP).

The training program offered more than 300 hours of extensive theoretical and practical learning, covering soft skills and behavior, preparation and automotive repainting, polishing, colorimetry, and tools.

What Is The Goal Of This Program Aimed At Women?

Created by AkzoNobel in partnership with Norton Abrasives and Senai, the “Women in Color” program is a professional development and self-esteem recovery initiative designed to rescue women in vulnerable situations and with difficulties in re-entering the job market, creating an environment where they feel welcomed, protected, and ready to rebuild their lives. 

After completing the course, companies are supporting the process of reintegrating these women into the job market. Norton Abrasives, for example, hired Guarulhos resident Silvia Ferreira, 50 years old, mother of a 15-year-old boy. Silvia, who worked for 20 years as a motor assembler and production operator in metalworking, was unemployed for three years and shortly after completing the course participated in a selection process at Norton Abrasives.

“We believed from the beginning that training these women would foster opportunities in the job market. And that’s already happening! Partner companies are also hiring and referring them to automotive workshops and shops. These women dedicated themselves so much! Amidst difficulties, their responsibilities at home and with their children, they remained committed until the end of the course. Now they are reaping the rewards of this beautiful journey, which is just beginning!” comments Mirca Neves, Automotive Sales Manager at Norton Saint-Gobain.

“I was feeling very low at home because I have always worked and was responsible for supporting my family. I was struggling with the few job opportunities due to my age and in recent years also because of the pandemic. During the time I was unemployed, I took the opportunity to do social work and suddenly found myself in the same situation as the vulnerable women I was talking to, which made me very sad. So, when the opportunity to take the training course came up, I didn’t waste any time and signed up immediately. I am very happy and feeling more mature. I am 50 years old, but I feel like I’m 20, excited, as if I am just starting out! I am very grateful to all the professionals who created the course, who wanted to know how I was doing, called, and asked what could be improved. This care and attention marked me a lot,” comments the new employee of Norton Abrasives, who was hired two weeks ago as a Technical Promoter in the automotive area.

The “Women in Color” project had the support of various partners, including: Bela Tintas, Instituto Localiza, Liberty Seguros, Sigma Transportes, Sindirepa (Sindicate of the Vehicle Repair Industry, Accessories of the State of São Paulo), and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Hamburgada do Bem (from Guarulhos, SP) and SOS Children’s Villages (in São Bernardo do Campo, SP), which conducted the candidate selection. Source: Alma Gestão and Norton Abrasivos