The Partnership for Skills Program links U.S. community colleges students and Brazilian technical field students in a transformative cross-cultural learning experience.
The Partnership for Skills is the flagship program of US-Brazil Connect. In 2012, we implemented a pilot program in Brazil. We will be expanding the program for 2013.
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Overview
The US-Brazil Internship Initiative for Skills and Opportunity/World Connection:
- Provides a transformative leadership development experience for outstanding U.S. community college students (US-Brazil Connect Fellows) through preparation and a fully funded, paid 4-week internship experience in Brazil;
- Strengthens English of technical students in Brazil;
- Builds the foundation for a mutually-beneficial and sustainable US-Brazil workforce partnership between the Brazilian technical education system of SENAI and SESI and community colleges in the United States.
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Partners
The US-Brazil Partnership for Skills brings together:
- Brazilian Confederation of Industry (CNI): One of the largest trade associations in the world, with affiliate organizations in 26 states and the Federal District in Brazil. The SESI and SENAI education programs of CNI are funded by a payroll tax. SESI/SENAI operate over 700 technical training schools in Brazil serving 5 million students annually.
- US Community Colleges: Founding colleges are: Houston Community College, Red Rocks Community College, and Jackson Community College.
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2013 Program Goals
The goals of the program were as follows:
- To improve the English skills of 700 low-income Brazilian high school students who are enrolled in technical training programs
- To provide a high-quality, low-cost fellowship experience abroad for 50 US community college students
- To expand the program to reach 7 districts in Brazil
- To build the foundation for a scalable US-Brazil workforce partnership between U.S. community colleges and the Brazilian Confederation of Industry (SENAI/SESI education systems)
