For a business, there is nothing more important than the people who comprise it – their desire to develop and their spirit of service. An organization can only grow and contribute to the development of its local communities through the drive and expertise of its members. In this issue of Odebrecht Informa, you will read about some of Odebrecht’s efforts to hone its teams’ skills and enable them to make their contribution to progress in Brazil. At a time when major infrastructure projects that are key to this country’s development are underway, the education and training of Brazilian workers is a crucial factor for achieving their nation’s goals.

One example of Odebrecht’s work in this area is the initiative underway at the Santo Antônio hydroelectric plant construction project in the state of Rondônia. The Ongoing Professional Qualification Program – Acreditar (Believe) has been responsible for producing 98% of the over 10,000 skilled professionals working on that project. Odebrecht conceived and implemented the project, working in partnership with the State of Rondônia, the City of Porto Velho, the SENAI (National Industrial Apprenticeship Service) and the University of Rondônia (UNIRON). Today, 84% of the people working on the Santo Antônio project are local hires. This factor is having a positive impact on the socioeconomic scene in that state. More than that, it is making it possible for individuals, families and communities to enjoy a new era, benefiting from real opportunities to develop and grow their incomes, self-esteem and civic spirit.

The same phenomenon can also be observed through ETH Bioenergy’s Social Energy program at its five production hubs. In Nova Alvorada do Sul, Mato Grosso do Sul; Cachoeira Alta and Caçu, Goiás; and Teodoro Sampaio and Mirante do Paranapanema, São Paulo State, the company is working with the public, county governments and an NGO to create the conditions for introducing initiatives focused on sustainable development. Eschewing a paternalistic mindset, the spirit of the program is that of organizing projects which encourage towns to grow on their own.

In this issue, you will also find out how a lack of specific professional education programs led to the creation of training programs for company members who work with cargo shipments. You can check out the creative financial solutions that made it possible to build drilling ships that will produce oil in Brazil’s offshore fields. You will see how it is possible to build a major roadway while preserving historic treasures. Finally, you will discover how Brazil’s petrochemical industry has hoisted its flag in the United States. All of this was done by people. Through their hard work and power for change. It’s all about people. Happy reading.