Initiative implemented through a partnership between Klabin and the State Government of Paraná provides training and development for the local workforce and contributes to job creation in the municipality


Forest Machinery Training Program at Ortigueira Technical School offers a stipend for work placement at Klabin, as well as on-campus lodging

Ortigueira, June 3, 2025 – Klabin, Brazil’s largest producer and exporter of packaging papers and sustainable paper solutions, in partnership with the State Government of Paraná and with support from the Municipal Government of Ortigueira, celebrates the fifth anniversary of the Centro Estadual de Educação Profissional (CEEP) Florestal e Agrícola de Ortigueira, corporate name of the Ortigueira Technical School. Since its inauguration, which involved an investment of R$35 million, the institution has trained 346 young people in technical courses in Forest Machinery Operations, Heavy Machinery Maintenance, and Agribusiness. Currently, five courses are offered, including integrated technical courses with high school, which last for three years, and subsequent courses, intended for those who have already completed high school, which last one and a half years. 

Among the trained students, 55% were hired by Klabin in the period. Of these, 75% remain working at the Company, and 61% of these are young people who graduated from the Technical Course in Forest Machinery Operations—highlighting the initiative's importance in providing a qualified workforce for the region. "We made a significant investment in the Technical School, and the returns we have obtained have been very substantial. We assist young people in becoming skilled professionals, which in turn generates employment and stimulates the growth of both the industry and the region," says Uilson Paiva, the Klabin manager responsible for the project.  

Paiva adds that Klabin recruits talented students even before course completion. Currently, ten students from the evening classes of technical operations courses have already been hired and are working at the company's facilities. A particular highlight is the Forest Machinery Operations Apprenticeship Program, which offers a stipend for working at Klabin, as well as lodging provided at the school itself. 

The State Forestry and Agriculture Vocational Training Center of Ortigueira offers technical courses in Forest Machinery Operations, Heavy Machinery Maintenance, Agribusiness, Occupational Safety, and Environment.  

Currently, 90% of the students enrolled are from the municipality of Ortigueira, and women account for 51% of the institution’s enrollment. Estela Santos was among the first women to graduate from the Forestry Operations Technician course. After completing the course, she joined Klabin as a chipper operator and today works as an Operational and Maintenance Technical Instructor at the Ortigueira Unit.  

"The course was a turning point in my life. All the teachers and staff had a meaningful impact on my journey, and I am very grateful to them. I am grateful for CEEP for my current achievements in life," she says.  

Another noteworthy case is Lucas Machado de Souza, who completed the Forest Operations and Machinery Technician program in 2023. "After finishing high school, I was looking into courses to further my education, and the school had very good recommendations. From the beginning, I was impressed by the structure, and throughout the course, I was very pleased with the quality of instruction. Today, I work as a Forest Process Operator Technician at Klabin, and I highly recommend the course to anyone who wants to advance in their career,” says Souza. 

The school has a comprehensive infrastructure, including classrooms, fully-equipped laboratories, simulators, a library, restrooms, an industrial kitchen, a cafeteria, a multi-sport court, and recreational areas. With the capacity to accommodate up to 800 students, it also offers on-campus lodging. 

According to Sueli Aparecida Martins, head of the Telêmaco Borba Regional Education Center: "Professional training is essential for preparing young people for the job market. Celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Ortigueira Technical School is a milestone for our work and highlights how access to education can open doors to a brighter future."

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