Another class of apprentices of the program entitled “O Futuro em Nossas Mãos” (The Future in Our Hands) has concluded the civil construction manpower training course. The course held in Paranaguá was designed for the needy families that are part of the Association of Inhabitants of Vila Marinho. In the practical lessons, the students had the opportunity to build their own brick houses. “I already have experience as a bricklayer, but I think it’s great to be able to build my own house with the help of friends that are learning”, explains Adilson dos Santos, who has been living in the region for a year and will be the owner of the first house to be concluded. “To these students it is much more than a training course that enables them to obtain an increase in income,” explains the director of the Senai unit in Paranaguá, Luiz Cláudio Lovato. “It is the opportunity for integration of the community, which thus ends up becoming more united and learns to seek improvements.” "O Futuro em Nossas Mãos" has already arranged for the training of 1,200 people for the civil construction job market since its deployment in July 2003, benefiting 48 philanthropic entities in 18 municipalities from Paraná. The initiative is coordinated by Votorantim Cimentos and Instituto Votorantim – which has already set aside around R$ 2 million – and has achieved success in results through the partnership with Senai-PR – National Service of Industrial Education / Fiep – Federation of Industries of the State of Paraná, which has acknowledged quality in training programs; Rotary International, present in the communities, responsible for the organization of the classes and choice of the social entity benefited; Sinduscon-PR – Trade Union of the Civil Construction Industry of the State of Paraná, responsible for the registration of professionals to work in civil construction; The Engineering Institute of Paraná and the Federation of Associations of Construction Material Traders of the State of Paraná. In addition to professionalizing education, students also receive a toolkit (safety goggles, PVC gloves, plummet, spirit level, aluminum straightedge, trowel, float and tape measure) to facilitate admission in the job market.