Women Gain a Foothold in the Job Market Through the Aprendi no Flexal Program

Women account for more than 60% of participants in the free training program offered to local residents

Maceió, October 13, 2026 - Women make up the majority of participants in Aprendi no Flexal, a vocational training program that is part of the Flexais Urban Integration and Development Project. They account for 61% of the 257 students enrolled in the program's 19 courses and stand out for applying the knowledge they have gained to enter the job market, increase their income, and strengthen their own businesses.

Monica de Fátima Santos Silva, an entrepreneur in the food industry, is one of these women. After completing the Mentoring for Entrepreneurs course, she says she uses the knowledge she gained primarily to improve the quality of her products and set their prices, which helps her sell them online and at the fairs she takes part in. "Aprendi no Flexal has provided many opportunities for people who want to learn and develop their skills. What I was producing two years ago was very different from what I make today, because the program's support helps women entrepreneurs in Flexal improve their skills and grow," she says.

Mônica encourages other women to participate in the courses. "I encouraged my peers to make the most of these opportunities. We're forging our own path, and it's not just about money; it's also about personal growth. This vocational training program has empowered us," she says.

Aprendi no Flexal also helped Karine Fabiane de Oliveira Silva, 23, fulfill her dream of working in the confectionery industry. Today, she is formally employed in the field she has always wanted to work in. "It's much more than just a trade; it's about love, purpose, and fulfillment. That's why I feel good and happy, and I'm able to contribute to my family's income, because I was unemployed before taking the course," she emphasizes.

According to Braskem's Social Initiatives Manager, Raineldes Melo, the high proportion of women in the program reflects local women's interest in expanding their professional and economic opportunities. "The significant participation of women in the program shows how access to vocational training can help expand opportunities. Seeing women from the Flexais area fill most of the available spots reinforces the potential of training as a tool for generating income, entering the workforce, and strengthening entrepreneurship," she says.

Aprendi no Flexal

Developed with guidance from experts and through dialogue with the community, Aprendi no Flexal is part of one of Braskem's reaffirmed commitments to the city of Maceió: to provide vocational training and income-generation support to residents experiencing social isolation as a result of the evacuation of neighborhoods in the area.

The courses were selected based on input from local residents, and the training is delivered in partnership with leading vocational education institutions, such as SENAI and SENAC. The program provides transportation to the training locations and meals when needed.

Designed to meet labor market demands, the 17 courses completed to date cover a range of fields, including Computer Skills; Motorcycle Mechanics; Manicure and Pedicure; Masonry; Building Plumbing Installation; Building Electrical Installation; Elderly Care; Oral Health; Pricing; Basic Cooking; and Basic English for Tourism Services. The technical training program in Nursing is still underway.

The vocational training program and other measures under the Flexais Urban Integration and Development Project were established based on the Agreement signed in October 2022 by the Municipality of Maceió, the Federal Prosecution Service, the Public Prosecutor's Office of the State of Alagoas, the Federal Public Defender's Office, and Braskem. Of the 23 initiatives planned to reverse the region's socioeconomic isolation and stimulate the local economy, 16 have been implemented, while the remaining initiatives are underway.

About Braskem

Braskem develops chemical and plastic solutions that are part of the daily lives of millions of people. As a global petrochemical company, it connects different links in the value chain and works in partnership with customers, suppliers, and communities to create shared value. With a portfolio of plastic resins and chemical products, the company serves sectors such as packaging, construction, mobility, healthcare, hygiene, agribusiness, and manufacturing. Braskem works to increase plastic circularity and expand the use of materials from renewable sources, based on the belief that innovation and collaboration are essential to building a more sustainable future. At the same time, the company strives to conduct its operations responsibly, fostering dialogue and contributing to the development of the communities where it operates. With operations in Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and Germany, Braskem exports to more than 71 countries and remains committed to ethics, compliance, and responsible competitiveness.

 

 

PHOTO CREDITS - Philipe Medeiros/Divulgação/Braskem