he Gerdau Group invests in developing new generations of entrepreneurs by supporting Junior Achievement, a non-profit organization that trains elementary, high school and university students for the world of business. The initiative is aimed at awakening the entrepreneurial spirit in young people who are still at school, encourage personal development, create a sense of the importance of business activity and ease access into the job market.

It offers theoretical programs and practical experience through partnerships between schools and volunteers who are employees from partner companies. An example is the Mini- Company Program, where high school students form a company with the help of Gerdau professionals. Over a series of 15 meetings, the Mini-Companies sell shares – raising the resources necessary to begin operations – create a product, market it, pay taxes (the value of these are usually donated to charity) and distribute the profits among the shareholders.

The Gerdau Group supports Junior Achievement in Brazil and Canada. Gerdau Group Chairman, Jorge Gerdau Johannpeter, also serves on the organization’s Board of Councilors in Brazil.

Junior Achievement is the oldest organization in the world focused on practical education in business and economics. Financed by corporations, foundations and private citizens, it has contributed to the development of young people throughout the world for nearly 90 years.