Vocational Training for Young People in Brazil

May

Transforming Potential into Opportunity

A year ago, DLW and Favela Radical launched their first official recruitment initiative within the community, creating a pathway focused on mentorship, career development, and personal growth.

Today, 85% of the selected youth have not only started but fully engaged with the program. Quezia do Nascimento, the first graduate of this partnership, describes the impact: “Meeting DLW opened doors I never imagined. Through courses in Public Speaking and English, I have taken important steps toward my future and discovered new possibilities.”

This partnership demonstrates how the right opportunities can turn potential into meaningful progress. 

Building Paths Through Mentorship

As Paulo Freire reminds us, learning is built along the way, through experience, reflection, and continuous growth.

We launched the second cohort of its Mentorship Program in partnership between DLW and DOF Subsea, connecting young talents with DOF leaders to broaden perspectives and strengthen professional pathways.

Each pair took part in five one-hour mentoring sessions, focusing on career insights, networking, soft skills, and mutual learning. We are excited to complete another cycle. with DOF and follow the opportunities created through these connections.

Celebrating 20 Years of DLW

On May 15, Dream Learn Work was honored at an official ceremony hosted by the Norwegian-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) and the Consulate General of Norway, celebrating Norway’s Constitution Day and DLW’s 20th anniversary.

The recognition reflects two decades of commitment to empowering young people through education and employment, as well as the strong partnership and solidarity connecting Brazil and Norway.

We look back with gratitude and look ahead with renewed commitment to creating opportunities and transforming lives through education. Thank you to every partner, volunteer, donor, and student who has been part of this journey.

Connecting Young People to Education and Career Opportunities

To date, Dream Learn Work (DLW) has conducted eight recruitment processes in partnership with nonprofit organizations in 2026, expanding young people’s access to education, professional training, and career development opportunities.

Through these initiatives, DLW identifies young people with potential and connects them to educational pathways that combine technical training, skills development, and preparation for the workforce.

Each recruitment process creates an opportunity to reach more young people with quality education, strengthen their knowledge and autonomy, and help them build new possibilities for their future.

--

June

Celebrating Norway’s Return to the World Cup

On June 16, Norway returned to the FIFA World Cup after a 28-year absence. In partnership with the Consulate General of Norway, NBCC, Innovation Norway, Norwegian Seafood Council, Norwegian Seamen’s Church, and Instituto Social Karanba, DLW participated a social happy hour where participants and their families gathered to watch the match together.

The event brought together celebration, community engagement, and social impact, including a raffle of symbolic items to support social initiatives focused on education. It was a meaningful opportunity to strengthen connections, celebrate Norway’s return to the World Cup, and support a cause that brings our communities together, ending the day with a Norwegian victory.

Connecting Youth to the World of Work 

Recently, DLW youth had the opportunity to visit AET, a global company in the maritime and energy logistics sector. They met professionals from different areas, explored diverse career paths, and gained new perspectives on their futures.

The visit also included a group activity focused on soft skills increasingly valued in the workplace. Through its partnership with DLW, AET supports talent development and strengthens the connection between education and employment.

Experiences like this help young people engage with the professional world, broaden their horizons, and recognize new possibilities for their careers. We thank the AET team for their warm welcome, knowledge sharing, and contribution to developing the next generation of professionals.

Connecting ESG, Human Rights, and Social Impact 

Dream Learn Work participated in the Encontro com ESG event hosted by the Brazilian Institute of Oil, Gas and Biofuels (IBP).

During a panel on Human Rights, DLW Manager Mikkel Mergener highlighted the importance of NGOs in corporate human rights strategies. Thatiana de Abreu Faria, Manager at Vibra, emphasized their essential role in connecting companies with vulnerable communities affected by their operations.

The event strengthened connections and reinforced DLW’s role in bridging peripheral youth and the energy sector while supporting ESG, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives.

Strengthening Cross-Cultural Connections

DLW had the pleasure of bringing together representatives of the Consulate General of Norway working across Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Argentina, and Chile, along with DLW youth and our team, for a special lunch focused on meaningful conversations, shared experiences, and knowledge exchange.

The gathering strengthened intercultural dialogue, broadened perspectives, and gave young people the opportunity to connect with new experiences and career journeys. We believe these exchanges are essential to building a more connected, inclusive, and opportunity-driven future. 

Strengthening Diversity and Inclusion

At Dream Learn Work (DLW), we believe inclusion is more than a corporate agenda. It is an ongoing commitment to respect, belonging, and valuing different life experiences.

DLW participated in the 2nd Rio Regional Meeting of the LGBTI+ Business and Human Rights Forum, hosted by Shell Brazil. The event provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and discuss challenges and progress in promoting diversity and inclusion for LGBTQIAPN+ people.

As an organization focused on preparing young people for the world of work, we believe that creating opportunities also means ensuring that everyone can develop their potential without fear of discrimination or exclusion. The discussions reinforced the importance of safe, inclusive, and equitable environments where people are respected for who they are and their individual journeys.

We continue to learn, evolve, and strengthen our commitment to expanding opportunities and building a more inclusive society.

--

July

DLW + ESPM: Expanding Access to Higher Education

Dream Learn Work (DLW) is proud to partner with ESPM to expand access to higher education and create new opportunities for young people as they build their professional careers.

Through this partnership, DLW youth can apply for scholarships for ESPM’s two-year technology degree programs, which offer semester-based certifications and curricula aligned with current labor market demands.

For Karoliny Torres, a DLW participant and Commercial Management student at ESPM, the opportunity has been an important part of her personal and professional development. Through DLW, she discovered ESPM and participated in the selection process for its technology programs. Today, she describes the experience as transformative, highlighting how each new learning opportunity broadens her perspective, strengthens her skills, and motivates her to pursue new challenges.

The partnership reinforces DLW’s commitment to connecting young people with quality education and pathways to professional growth.

Environmental Action in Partnership with Ocyan

Dream Learn Work (DLW), in partnership with Ocyan, organized a beach cleanup at Flamengo Beach, bringing together DLW 25 youth and approximately 50 Ocyan employees. The collective effort resulted in more than 130 kg of waste being removed from the beach.

Beyond the environmental impact, the initiative created an opportunity for interaction and knowledge exchange between young people and Ocyan professionals. The experience strengthened connections between education, environmental awareness, and professional development, while reinforcing the importance of collective action and social responsibility in creating positive impact in the community.

Building Connections Through Collaboration

On July 7, Dream Learn Work (DLW) participated in a another meeting organized by Decola Cria, a space that brings together organizations committed to education and youth inclusion in the workforce.

The gathering strengthened partnerships, encouraged the exchange of experiences, and reinforced the importance of collective action in expanding opportunities for young people.

By working together, we continue to build bridges that connect young people with new possibilities and support them in turning their aspirations into opportunities.

Growing Stronger Through Mentorship

Dream Learn Work (DLW) is proud to develop the M&O Mentorship Program in partnership with the group’s companies, as part of a shared commitment to supporting the next generation.

The program connects young participants from DLW with mentors from the group’s companies, creating opportunities for guidance, knowledge exchange, and professional and personal development.

Through this partnership, DLW continues to build meaningful connections between young people and the professional world, helping expand their perspectives and access to new opportunities.

We are grateful to our partners and mentors for investing in young people, sharing their knowledge, and contributing to their development.

--

August

From Training to Opportunity

Some stories inspire us by showing the impact of creating access to opportunities.

Letícia Ribeiro found in Dream Learn Work (DLW) a space for professional development, where courses and practical experiences strengthened her education and skills. Through DLW’s talent curation, her profile was presented to L’Oréal, contributing to her opportunity to join the company as a Young Apprentice.

In her words, “More than a nonprofit organization, DLW represents care, attention, and a committed vision for the future of young people. Its work goes beyond training: it transforms lives, opens doors, and encourages every participant to believe in their potential.”

Letícia’s journey reflects DLW’s commitment to connecting young people with education, professional development, and opportunities in the workforce.

Innovation and Opportunities for Young People

What if talking about the future also meant talking about opportunities?

Recently, Dream Learn Work (DLW), represented by Sara França and Alecsander Dias, participated in Rio Innovation Week, connecting with people, ideas, and initiatives focused on new ways of shaping the future.

Para a DLW, inovação vai além da tecnologia. Significa também criar caminhos, expandir oportunidades e preparar jovens para um mundo do trabalho em constante transformação. Participar em espaços como este permite-nos ampliar as nossas perspetivas e trazer novas ideias para o nosso trabalho.

Agradecemos à Decola Cria pela oportunidade e pelos ingressos que tornaram essa experiência possível. Continuamos aprendendo, conectando ideias e trabalhando por um futuro com mais oportunidades para os jovens.

Expanding Horizons Through Mentorship

A historic moment for our young participants and the DLW team.

As part of the closing activities of the second cohort of DLW’s Mentorship Program, developed in partnership with DOF, participating youth had the opportunity to visit the Stril Explorer and experience the maritime industry firsthand.

The visit went beyond technical experience, allowing participants to broaden their perspectives, meet experienced industry professionals, and gain a practical understanding of the high standards of safety, excellence, and responsibility required in such a challenging and strategic operation.

The closing of the program was also an opportunity to celebrate the learning, achievements, and personal and professional development built throughout the mentorship journey. Experiences like this connect knowledge with the realities of the workplace and broaden possibilities for young people’s futures.

We thank DOF for the partnership and for providing such a valuable experience to mark the successful completion of another cohort of our Mentorship Program.

Connecting Youth with the Maritime Industry

DLW had the opportunity to visit Navalshore and gain a closer look at the companies, professionals, and opportunities shaping the maritime industry.

Being present in spaces like this allows us to broaden our perspectives, strengthen connections, and explore different career pathways that may lead to new opportunities for DLW youth.

The experience was especially meaningful as part of our Mentorship Program in partnership with M&O Partners. Elves Carvalho, mentor to Alexandra Oliveira, guided his mentee and our team through the exhibition and shared insights into the Blue Economy, highlighting different professional opportunities within the sector.

We thank M&O Partners for the invitation and tickets that made this experience possible. The visit provided valuable opportunities for learning, knowledge exchange, and new connections, further strengthening the bridge between young people, knowledge, and the world of work. 

Links:

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn