Unemployment in Brazil affects some 11.6 million people, about 11% of the Country’s population, according to IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics). But when it comes to young people aged between 18 and 24 years old, that number exceeds twice the national average, reaching 25,7%. As an opportunity for this age group, usually seeking their first job, there show up companies like AlmavivA, welcoming and helping these young people grow at the beginning of their career.

“A large part of our employees are at their first job experience. Offering this opportunity is extremely important for AlmavivA, as it aims to turn these individuals into citizens, consumers and an integral part of the growth of the economy”, explains Francesco Renzetti, CEO of AlmavivA do Brasil. In the Northeast, the Company has more than 19,000 professionals, 60% of whom in the midtwenties, and 70% at their first job experience.

In Alagoas, where AlmavivA concentrates a major presence (and which, according to data released by IBGE in June last year, was among the six States with the highest number of young unemployment in the Country), the Company has 66% of its workforce aged between 18 and 25 years old (60% of whom is at their first job opportunity). “Since 2014, we are present in Alagoas capital city and are currently responsible for more than 8,000 direct jobs. We are investing in hiring these professionals, as it is a way of preparing them for the challenges that will come in their careers”, says the CEO.

It is worth mentioning that, in addition to direct jobs, vacancies and opportunities are generated in sectors such as transportation, food, construction, maintenance, etc. in a number equivalent to 40% of our employees, which, in Maceió, reaches more than 3,000 people.

This has a great positive impact on the lives of these young people, as it helps them to overcome a greatest barrier in achieving their first job opportunity – the requirement of previous experience – a difficulty that some 77% of young Brazilians have experienced, according to a survey carried out by the Argentinian survey Company, Trendsity, and McDonald’s. The survey has also pointed out that, with their first job, 44% of interviewed people expects to gain experience in teamwork, and learn foreign languages.

Francesco also emphasizes that the Company always seeks to develop work focused on opportunities for professional projection, encouraging inclusion, as well. “We believe that each employee is an important part of a whole.

Therefore, we provide internal opportunities for growth and career development. Today, a large part of our staff consists of people who used to have different positions and have grown up within the Company and, in the Northeast alone, 2,215 attendants were promoted in the last five years. In addition, for us it is essential to maintain an inclusive work environment, promoting interaction, dialogue and, above all, without discrimination.

We do this by promoting gender, ethnicity and group equity – counting, in this region, almost 150 employees in their 50s, in addition to including several people with special needs ”, he says.

For this commitment, in January this year the Company received from Astra – Human Rights and LGBT Citizenship, in Aracaju, an important award in recognition of actions and opportunities for transgender individuals.