Teenage Work Support Program

With the goal to find its own effective way to act in partnership with the community for the construction of well-being and a fairer, more equal society, the Chamber of Deputies created, over 20 years ago, the Teenage Work Support Program — Pro-Teen. A program of social responsibility whose essence is to socially include youngsters through education for work.

The Law No. 10.097/2000, known as Apprenticeship law, regulates the technical-professional formation of the apprentice teenager enrolled in the Program, allowing their contact with duties compatible with their physical, moral and psychological development.

Operation

A contract is signed between the Chamber of Deputies and a non-profit institution, whose aim is to provide teenagers with professional education.

Currently, the institution which qualifies apprentices is Centro Salesiano do Menor - CESAM, which besides teaching the theoretical apprentice course, is responsible for enrolment, selection, contracting and psycho-pedagogical and functional monitoring of teenagers which act in the House.

Pro-Teen counts with hundreds of youngsters who work from Monday to Friday, with a 4-hour working day, in the morning hours (08 h to 12 h) or afternoon (14 h to 18 h). Teenagers receive 1 (one) minimum wage, transportation allowance according to where they live, food allowance, ID badge and uniform (customized white T-shirt).

In order to join Pro-Teen, the teenager must be between 15 and 16 years old and meet the following requirements:

• To live in the Federal District;
• To be enrolled in public school or be a scholarship holder in a private school;
• To attend the 8th year (or higher) of regular Elementary School; and
• To have a per capita household income equal to or less than half the minimum wage.

The teenage apprentice admitted to the program develops qualification in several activities, being offered training in the fields of customer service (face to face and via telephone), computer skills, secretarial notions, notions of citizenship and labor market, reception techniques, archiving and protocol. The teenage can also enjoy knowledge of the organic responsibilities of a great Institution and, specially, they can observe the Brazilian Legislative Process in loco.

Pro-Teen Program was awarded 1st place in the Legal Person category — Social Projects, Edition 2006, of the Candango Award for Excellence in Human Resources promoted by the Brazilian Association of Human Resources.