Courses|Inside Ramacrisna|Young apprentice
Christian’s journey as a young apprentice shows how Ramacrisna prepares young people for the job market
The experience as a young apprentice can be the first step towards a solid and purposeful career. For many teenagers, this is the gateway to the job market, but for some, like Christian Rainer, it is also the beginning of a journey of personal and professional transformation.
Today, at 25, he is in his fifth semester of psychology and has training as an HR manager. He works in the Human Resources department at Opus Construtech in Betim. But that’s not all: he welcomes and mentors apprentices at the company where he works. Learn more about his story.
Christian learned about Ramacrisna through apprentices he saw on a daily basis. In addition, he had already been through another learning institution before joining the Institute. At the time, he had just finished his first contract as an apprentice when the pandemic hit. During this challenging period, he focused exclusively on college.
Then, in mid-2021, he decided to enroll in Aprendiz Ramacrisna. Shortly thereafter, an opportunity arose: he participated in a selection process and was approved. “That’s when I embarked, with great expectation, on a new professional and personal journey,” he recalls.
Even with the limitations imposed by the pandemic, the program was essential for professional and personal development. For Christian, more than technical learning, the period was one of human growth with a new perspective that was acquired throughout the process. “Ramacrisna represents opportunity and transformation. Even though I had previous experience as an apprentice, it was there that I gained a new perspective, both professionally and personally. The Institute provided me with learning experiences that go beyond the technical aspects, contributing to my development as a person and a professional,” he praises.
It didn’t take long for Christian to be hired permanently. He was hired in 2022. Today, working in HR at Opus Construtech, he mentors Ramacrisna apprentices at the company. Being “on the other side” is, according to him, rewarding and challenging. “I can see more clearly the real impact that the project has on the lives of young people, just as it did on mine. It’s a position that requires empathy, active listening, and responsibility, because we know that for many apprentices, this is their first opportunity in the job market,” he says.
The best part? Following the teenagers’ progress. Seeing their initial fear turn into confidence, their lack of knowledge turn into learning, and realizing when they begin to believe in their own potential. For Christian, contributing to this development is extremely rewarding.
His advice for those starting out as young apprentices is clear: take advantage of every opportunity, be curious, responsible, and always open to learning. “The Apprentice Program can be the beginning of a great career, just as it was for me. No one starts out knowing everything; growth comes with dedication, attitude, and a willingness to evolve,” he says.
The Young Apprentice Program is a Federal Government initiative that encourages the inclusion of young people aged 14 to 24 in the job market. The program is run by accredited institutions, which are responsible for training teenagers, referring them to partner companies, and monitoring their development. The Ramacrisna Institute is one of these institutions.
To participate in the Ramacrisna Apprentice Program, young people must be between 14 and 21 years old, attend regular school (elementary or high school), and not have previously been an apprentice in the administrative field.
One way to participate is to register with the Talent Bank. Registration does not guarantee immediate placement, but it allows partner companies to evaluate the young person’s profile according to demand. Candidates participate in interviews according to each employer’s criteria, with the final hiring decision being made by the company.
Another way to join is through the 80-hour Jovens de Futuro (Youth of the Future) preparatory course. During classes, teenagers learn about communication, job interviews, ethics, interpersonal relationships, and customer service. Depending on their performance and profile analysis, they may participate in interviews.
The young apprentice starts with theoretical training and then begins practical training at the company. They can work for four or six hours a day, up to a limit of 30 hours per week. At Ramacrisna, the model works with four days at the company and one day at the Institute, dedicated to theoretical training.
In addition to professional experience, apprentices are entitled to remuneration proportional to the minimum wage, a thirteenth month salary, paid vacation, and other labor rights provided for by law. Currently, the program has centers in Betim (Centro and Santo Afonso), Juatuba, Igarapé, and Belo Horizonte, serving companies throughout the Belo Horizonte metropolitan area.
Stories like Christian’s reinforce Ramacrisna’s commitment to training young people who are prepared, confident, and aware of their potential. For those who want to take their first step into the job market, the initiative can be the beginning of a great career. Hire an apprentice and help transform the lives of more young people.
