he Gerdau Group invests in young leaders in order to guarantee the long-term sustainability of its businesses, with the trainee program as its main initiative for the development of new talent. Throughout the training period, these young university graduates absorb new knowledge while taking an active part in projects and processes and working alongside experienced professionals.

With the rapid growth experienced by the Gerdau Group in recent years, especially as a result of internationalization, the development of new talent is essential in order to prepare them to take on strategic positions in the future. The trainee program targets the strategic needs of the organization, giving the participants the chance to acquire a broad vision of the business together with an understanding of behaviors and attitudes appropriate for a world-class company.

The candidates are chosen based on the skills, competences and potential required for the activities that they will perform, as well as for their ability to adhere to the Group’s values, culture and management systems. In 2005, around 15,000 candidates competed for 149 positions in Brazil. In North America, the program began in 2005 with the hiring of 32 people.