Around 70% of the trained professionals have already been hired by the company; in the classes that are now graduating in the Federal District, 60% of the students will be part of the distribution company's staff

With a commitment to stimulating employment and income generation, in addition to contributing to gender equity in a career that is mostly male, Neoenergia celebrates more than a thousand women who graduated from the company's School of Electricians. The brand was recognized this Wednesday (4), during the graduation of two other classes, in Brasilia. Neoenergia's School of Electricians for Women is a pioneer in the sector and recognized as a global example of one of the Women's Empowerment Principles by WeEmpower, a UN Women program with the International Labor Organization (ILO

) and the European Union.

The ceremony was held in the auditorium of the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) and was attended by Eduardo Capelastegui, president of Neoenergia; Solange Ribeiro, vice-president of Neoenergia; Alexandre Silveira, minister of Mines and Energy; Janja Lula da Silva, first lady of the Republic; Rosane Silva, National Secretary for Economic Autonomy of the Ministry of Women; Agnes Costa, director of the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL); among other authorities.

“The expansion of the presence of women electricians represents a major challenge for the electrical sector and was only possible thanks to the work of our School of Electricians. Achieving this mark of over a thousand women graduates is a source of pride for all of us at the Neoenergia Group,” says Eduardo Capelastegui, president

of Neoenergia.

Graduation — Classes were held at Gama and Taguatinga and 44 students completed the course, 23 women and 21 men. Over 60% of the women in this class will be hired and will reinforce the distribution company's workforce in the Federal District

.

In total, since 2013, the Neoenergia School of Electricians has trained 1,038 female professionals out of a total of 6,084 students in all five concession areas: Neoenergia Brasília (DF), Neoenergia Coelba (BA), Neoenergia Cosern (RN), Neoenergia Elektro (SP/MS) and Neoenergia Pernambuco (PE).

Of the total number of women graduates, 691 were hired and are part of the Neoenergia Group's staff. In the Federal District alone, for example, 178 obtained the diploma and 138 (77%) had the opportunity to join the company so far.

“Today we celebrate the strength and determination of more than a thousand women in the Brazilian energy sector. These women join thousands of others, who illuminate the path to a more just and egalitarian future, in a profession that, until very recently, they had no voice or voice. But that changed. The Electricians School is a symbol of social transformation, respect and inclusion,” said Alexandre Silveira, Minister of Mines

and Energy.

Theoretical and practical classes — The courses at the Neoenergia School of Electricians are free and conducted in partnership with the National Industrial Learning Service (Senai) in all states where Neoenergia has an electricity distribution concession. In São Paulo, training is also offered by the Technology Support Foundation (FAT). The classes are divided between theoretical and practical, allowing a complete training for students. All people over the age of 18, have completed high school education and a National Driver's License (CNH) can apply

.

The Neoenergia School of Electricians was created in 2013 at Elektro, in São Paulo. The initiative pioneered the electricity sector by creating classes for women to promote diversity and inclusion

.