From her first contact with the corporate world to the consolidation of her career, Juliane Reis’ trajectory reveals the impact of the teen apprentice program on building futures

Entering the job market as a teenager can be challenging. But when that first step is taken with preparation, support, and guidance, it becomes an experience that can shape an entire professional life. The story of Juliane Reis is a clear example of the positive impact of the Ramacrisna Institute’s Apprentice program, which for years has been training young people and connecting them with partner companies in the Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Region.

Juliane learned about Ramacrisna through a friend of her mother’s who worked at the Institute. That is how she joined the Apprentice project, an initiative that represented her first contact with the corporate world and opened decisive doors for her personal and professional career. This is the beginning of a story that you can read below.

The first step into the corporate world

It was through the Apprentice program that Juliana had her first contact with the job market. For her, it was a transformative experience. Thanks to the support and preparation she found in the project, she was able to take her first step. “I believe that having the support and preparation of the program gave me the confidence and maturity to experience the corporate environment,” she recalls.

Then, recommended by the Ramacrisna Institute, Juliane became an apprentice at Unimed—a company she already admired even before being hired. “I was recommended by the program to work at Unimed. And there I was able to develop thanks to the support I received from the team I worked with, as they gave me autonomy and confidence. After the apprenticeship period, I was hired, and to this day I see the importance of the program in my professional career,” she reflects.

This experience taught Juliane lessons that she still carries with her today, such as the importance of professional maturity and taking advantage of every opportunity that arises. In other words, for her, the program was essential to broaden her view of the job market and enable her, while still very young, to exchange experiences with other professionals.

Academic background and professional experience

Thanks to this opportunity, Juliane was able to invest in her studies. Today, Juliane Reis has a bachelor’s degree in Communication and a master’s degree in the field from PUC Minas. In addition, she works in training and consulting for companies. She points out that being an apprentice was decisive in this development. “Without a doubt, being an apprentice gave me a broader view of the corporate environment, in addition to allowing me to share professional experiences from an early age,” she points out.

Even after so many years, Juliane’s relationship with the Ramacrisna Institute remains alive. “I have a relationship of great gratitude and recognition with Ramacrisna. So much so that I was recently lecturing at the institution’s downtown unit. I felt I needed to give back what I had received! It was a very special moment for me,” she says.

What is the Apprentice Program?

The Young Apprentice Program is a Federal Government initiative that encourages the integration of young people between the ages of 14 and 24 into the job market through training institutions. The Ramacrisna Institute is one of these accredited institutions, responsible for training, referring students to partner companies, and monitoring adolescents throughout the process. This is also the only legal way to hire adolescents between the ages of 14 and 21.

In addition, the Institute offers the 80-hour Jovens de Futuro (Youth of the Future) preparatory course, in which adolescents learn about ethics, customer service, interpersonal relationships, job interviews, and communication in the corporate environment.

Hundreds of young people have already gone through the program and are now in the job market, many of them hired by partner companies. Organizations such as Unimed, Banco do Brasil, Tupy, and Unifort, for example, have already joined Aprendiz Ramacrisna, reaping both social and economic benefits.

According to a survey by the Institute, the satisfaction rate of companies with the teenagers in the project is 80%. In addition, the average family income of participants increases by 25% after the initiative.

By hiring an apprentice through Ramacrisna, the company complies with the Apprenticeship Law, receives tax incentives, and contributes directly to the social transformation of vulnerable adolescents.

Juliane Reis’ story shows that investing in a teenage apprentice is investing in future professionals and transforming lives. Your company can also be part of this transformation. Contact the Ramacrisna Institute, learn about the Teenage Apprentice program, and discover how hiring an apprentice can generate positive social impact and strengthen your business.