Unprecedented Port Mechanics course forms first class at the Port of Santos

The port sector of Santos advances in the qualification of its workforce with the graduation of the first class of the Port Mechanics course, an unprecedented initiative aimed at training professionals for port operations.

Created to meet a growing demand for qualified professionals at the interface between technology, maintenance and port operations, the course lasted five months. Throughout the period, students participated in training that went beyond the classroom, with practical activities and technical visits to companies in different segments of the port, such as solid bulk, cellulose, containers and general cargo.

The proposal was to bring students closer to the operational routine of the Port of Santos, providing a concrete vision of how operations work and market demands. The female presence also marked this first class, in an important advance for a sector that is still predominantly male in technical and operational areas.

“This project was born as a dream and today it is already a reality that is starting to generate concrete results. Seeing this first class graduating, with so much diversity and preparation, shows that we are on the right path. And the good news is that it doesn’t stop here — we are already working on the next class, scheduled for the second half of this year”, says Marcelli Mello, Institutional Relations at SOPESP.

“Professional qualification is the only way to keep up with changes in the job market, especially in a sector as strategic as the port. This course shows the strength of the partnership between public authorities and the private sector, connecting training with real opportunities. This is how we build more solid paths for those who want to work and grow in our city.”
Bruno Orlandi – Secretary of Port Affairs and Employment

For the president of CENEP, André Bonini, the initiative has a direct impact on professional training and the future of the sector. “This course connects technical training with the reality of the port, which is essential to prepare more qualified professionals aligned with market demands. It is an important delivery for the port sector and for the development of activity in the region”, he assesses.

About the course

The course is an initiative of SOPESP (Port Operators Union of the State of São Paulo), in partnership with Santos City Hall and CENEP (Santos Port Excellence Center). With classes at night, the program was structured to allow the participation of workers and students, combining theory, laboratory and practical experience on Saturdays.

The first class began in December 2025, with a master class held on the 3rd, marking the beginning of pioneering training focused on the port sector in the region.

Graduation of the 1st class of the Port Mechanics Course
Date: April 29
Time: 3pm
Location: Santos Commercial Association (ACS) -Rua XV de Novembro, 137 – Centro – Santos