The port sector in Santos moves forward in workforce qualification with the graduation of the first class of the Port Mechanics course, an unprecedented initiative aimed at training professionals for port operations.
Created to meet growing demand for qualified professionals at the interface between technology, maintenance and port operations, the course lasted five months. Throughout the period, students participated in training that went beyond the classroom, with practical activities and technical visits to companies in different port segments, such as dry bulk, cellulose, containers and general cargo.
The proposal was to bring students closer to the operational routine of Santos Port, providing a concrete view of how operations work and market demands. Female presence also marked this first class, an important advance for a sector still predominantly male in technical and operational areas.
"This project was born as a dream and today is already a reality that is starting to generate concrete results. Seeing this first class graduating, with so much diversity and preparation, shows that we are on the right path. And the good news is that this doesn't stop here — we are already working on the next class, scheduled for the second half of this year," says Marcelli Mello, Institutional Relations at SOPESP.
"Professional qualification is the only way to keep up with transformations in the labor market, especially in a strategic sector like ports. This course shows the strength of partnership between government and private initiative, connecting training with real opportunity. This is how we build more solid paths for those who want to work and grow in our city."
Bruno Orlandi - Secretary of Port Affairs and Employment
For CENEP president André Bonini, the initiative has a direct impact on professional training and the sector's future. "This course connects technical training with port reality, which is essential for preparing more qualified professionals aligned with market demands. It is an important delivery for the port sector and for the development of activity in the region," he assesses.
About the course
The course is an initiative of SOPESP (Union of Port Operators of the State of São Paulo), in partnership with the Santos City Hall and CENEP (Porto-Alegre Center of Port Excellence). With classes in the evening period, the program was structured to allow participation of workers and students, combining theory, laboratory work and practical experience on Saturdays.
The first class began in December 2025, with an inaugural lecture held on the 3rd, marking the beginning of pioneering training aimed at the port sector in the region.
Graduation of the 1st Port Mechanics Course Class
Date: April 29
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Santos Commercial Association (ACS) – Rua XV de Novembro, 137 – Centro – Santos
