Professionals represent one of the chief competitive advantages of VCP, as they combine knowledge of the production and trade of paper and pulp.
With people management that stimulates and acknowledges competence, VCP invests in the training, education and development of staff members, to qualify and potentialize differentiated performance.
In 2006 VCP invested R$ 5.6 million in training programs that added up to 320,569 hours. With an investment 4.2% above that of the prior year, the number of participant staff members and the total hours of training increased 15% and 41%, respectively. A large number of internal training programs were held in 2006, particularly about certifications.
Besides involving lower costs than external activities, this type of training attains a higher number of employees. During 2006, 98% of the employees frequented at least one training program. These results are attained by means of a series of training programs geared toward the expansion of competences and the creation of better employability conditions for its employees, including:
Programa de Trainees (Trainee Program) – Its objective is to prepare individuals that have just graduated from university with the potential to fulfill demands and to meet the challenges of the business, training them to sustain the development process of the Company. The program lasts for 18 months. During this period, the trainee takes part in technical, management and behavioral optimization sessions, both inside and outside their business unit. Each trainee has a guidance counselor who, besides monitoring the trainee, also participates in decisions about his or her development and direction. Moreover, trainees have the opportunity to develop projects related to their respective units.
Programa Destaque Profissional (Professional Highlight Program – Its objective is to acknowledge differentiated work and to stimulate innovation in a special way. Over one hundred projects were entered in this second edition. The 16 winning projects also contended for the highlight of the year award, chosen by senior management. To take part, professionals can center their projects, based on the values of VCP, showing the results they have attained.
Programa de idiomas (Language program) – Aimed at staff members that need to better their knowledge in foreign languages in their activities, with a refund of 50% in matriculation and in the monthly fee of the chosen course. It involved 133 professionals in 2006, which were appraised and evidenced significant improvement in the language studied.
Programa de Ensino Remoto (Remote Education Program) – e-Learning VCP is a learning-at-a-distance program, by means of the Internet, which offers 150 courses for training in electronic tools and other topics. It is also available for family members of VCP professionals, up to the limit of three people per employee, without any additional cost. In this manner, the Company permits the training of professionals and reinforces the intention to democratize knowledge. In the last three years, 1,387 users have already utilized the system and 782 courses were concluded.
Pós-graduação Viçosa (Post graduation program) – Post graduation course in Paper and Pulp Technology, developed in partnership with Universidade Federal de Viçosa. Totally subsidized by VCP, it is intended for professionals whose Individual Development Plans involve education in Paper and Pulp. With lessons lasting for a total of 390 hours, 137 people have already participated in the course – from 2000 to 2006 –, consisting of staff members from the Industrial, Forestry and Engineering areas.
Bolsa de Estudos (Scholarship) – For professionals to invest in their development, the Company grants scholarships covering up to 50% of the price of the course in educational programs – including graduation, post graduation or specialization (master’s, doctor’s or post-doctorate), besides MBAs.
Academia de Excelência Votorantim (Votorantim Excellence Academy) – To support the transformation of leaders, VCP relies on Academia de Excelência Votorantim, which has the objective of structuring actions of education and development and of strengthening the sharing and evolution of knowledge in the Group. Opened in September 2006, the Academy offers programs (courses, lectures, forums, etc.) with grounds in the best practices of Votorantim, routes to self-development and generation of knowledge (communities of practices, meetings, etc.). It is a corporate university comprised of four education centers: Center of Leadership, Center of Industrial and Technological Excellence, Center of Commercial Excellence and Center of Corporate Processes. The Academy, which is a corporate program of the Group, substitutes local initiatives, such as the MBA in Company – a program of VCP that was theretofore aimed at developing professionals for strategic positions, with education and recycling of knowledge applied to business management and support the Succession Process.
VCP also develops the Votorantim Leadership System (SLV), of formation of leaderships of the Votorantim Group. It permits the career development of certain professionals and functions as one of the tools to maintain the best tapping of human capital. In 2006, 248 professionals had their activities and performance appraised and managed by means of SLV. This action will be continuous both for appraisal and for indication of development of the respective competencies and/or style.