In 2023, over 560 thousand individuals aged between 14 and 24 gained the experience of their first job thanks to the Youth Apprentice initiative. The apprenticeship program reached its highest enrollment in the past 20 years, with extremely positive figures, according to a survey released by the Center for Integration of Business and School.

The study also reveals that 70% of young apprentices feel welcomed in the hiring companies. Furthermore, 72% express satisfaction with the work opportunity.

However, despite the positive outcomes, the numbers still do not reflect the full potential of the initiative. This is because the Center estimates that the country has the capacity to employ 1 million young individuals. According to the Apprenticeship Law (Law No. 10.097/2000), companies are required to fill quotas for young apprentices, ranging from 5% to 15% of the organization’s workforce.

For companies with up to seven employees, hiring apprentices is optional. Larger companies, on the other hand, are obligated to hire a minimum of 5% and a maximum of 15% of young apprentices relative to the total number of employees.

However, much of the potential remains untapped because many companies perceive apprenticeships merely as an obligation. But it’s not just that. Hiring these young individuals brings several benefits to organizations, teenagers, and consequently, to society as a whole.

Moreover, hiring through the Youth Apprentice program offers fiscal incentives to companies, including paying only 2% of the FGTS, exemption from paid notice period, and from the contractual severance fine, for example.

The impact of social contribution through the hiring of young individuals occurs directly in their communities. This is because, in general, apprentices come from public schools or are affiliated with non-governmental institutions, such as the Ramacrisna Institute. Therefore, by employing a young person, the company contributes to improving their life and that of their surroundings.

Youth Apprentice and Education

Investing in apprenticeship is also a way of investing in education. This is because, to join the program, teenagers of school age must be enrolled in and attending either primary or secondary education. Additionally, they must also be enrolled and attending classes in technical vocational education at an institution affiliated with the hiring company.

The training of young apprentices is so crucial that the law stipulates that activities cannot be carried out at times and places that prevent the young person from attending school.

The hiring of apprentices is done through an accredited institution for the training and monitoring of these young individuals. The Ramacrisna Institute is one such institution. Since 2005, Ramacrisna has operated as an accredited institution for the training of young apprentices. To give an idea, in 2023 alone, 519 youths from the Adolescent Apprentice program, conducted by the Institution, were hired as apprentices in 117 partner companies across 12 cities in the Greater BH area. Additionally, in the past year, 129 youths were retained by companies after the end of the apprenticeship contract.

The Apprenticeship Program begins even before the young person enters the job market. In the Youth of the Future project, teenagers receive lessons on public speaking, participating in job interviews, ethics, interpersonal relationship tips, and how customer service should be.

Ramacrisna also conducts pre-selection, recommending students to companies to compete for apprentice positions. To do this, it considers the profile of the position offered by the company and the locality of residence. Ideally, it should be close to the workplace.

Therefore, choosing the Ramacrisna Institute as a partner institution ensures that your company will receive support throughout the apprenticeship process, as well as the opportunity to acquire an excellent professional for a permanent contract after the adolescent’s participation in the program ends. Contact us to learn more.