Education has been one the major focus of internal social investments. In 2004, it concentrated nearly 1/3 of investments with formation programs, scholastic complementation and professional empowerment which generates benefits not only for the employees and the company, but also for the proper localities in which Votorantim is present.

This vision dates from long ago. Over two decades, Votorantim Cement, in association with Serviço National da Indístria (SENAI) (Industry National Service) raised a professional empowerment school in Rio Branco do Sul (Paraná State). The initiative brought great success and inspired an empowerment program aiming the local community.

The projects Crescer (Elementary and Junior High School) and Despertar (Senior High School), from Votorantim Cement, are good examples of the Group’s efforts in order to improve the level of scholarship. Just in 2004, 237 employees attended the program. Similar projects in Votorantim Agribusiness and in Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio (CBA) may show the syntonization of objectives and strategies existing in the Group.

The so-called Programa Ação e Educação, from CBA, in March 2003 graduated 199 pupils in Basic Abilities Course, equivalent to the four degrees of the elementary school. The project still includes Telecurso 1º Grau classes (from 5th and 8th degree) (course for elementary and junior school pupils showed on TV) and the 2º Grau (Senior High School). Other 302 pupils were graduated in the central office, in the two mining departments in 11 hydroelectric plants from the company.

With investments of R$5 million from CBA, SENAI, settled a technical school measuring 2.6 thousand square meters in Alumínio city (SP), divided into 11 classrooms, library and laboratories. The school started to work at full blast in the middle of 2005 with three thousand pupils per year in regular, professional and improvement courses, which offer to both youngsters and adults, a qualified  and diversified professional background.