First Step Project:

an alternative for social inclusion through Fortaleza's first youth job in Fortaleza CE

Abstract

The objective of this article is to analyze the promotion of the social inclusion of young people in situations of vulnerability and social risk through the development of social and professional competences aimed at the labor market as a result of their participation in the First Step Project, in the line of action Young Trainee. We also sought to analyze the complex relationship between youth and employment; understand the impact their professional training for the deve lopment of technical and communicative skills. It was observed that during the industrial and economic growth of Brazil between the 1930s and 1980s, formal employment among young people grew, however, in times of crisis both global and youth unemployment increases. With the aim of reducing youth unemployment, the Federal Government launched a First Job Incentive Program (PNPE) in 2003, this program did not have the desired effect, yet several Brazilian states have created similar programs. In the State of Ceará in 2007, the State Government, through STDS, implemented the First Step Project. In our research, two conclusions were reached: the first one indicates that the young people participating in the Project develop Technical and Social Competences capable of promoting their professional development and inclusion in the labor market; and the second conclusion is that the number of young people benefited by this program is small and has no impact on reducing unemployment among young people in the State of Ceará.