Strengthening our people-centric culture
Cladtek introduces a new inclusion programme aimed at hiring and training people with disabilities for technical roles starting at its facility in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The initiative supports the ongoing efforts to foster a more inclusive workforce and follows its recent recognition as a Great Place to Work.
While inclusion of people with disabilities is growing across the oil and gas sector, operational roles within industrial facilities remain limited due to persistent barriers. To help overcome this challenge, Cladtek’s program, launched at its Santa Cruz Industrial District in Rio de Janeiro, is designed to address this gap by providing vocational training and developing hands-on experience in an industrial environment for the energy sector.
Developed in partnership with Firjan-SENAI, a Brazilian institution for vocational education, the program—“Inclusão que Transforma” (Inclusion that Transforms)—offers training in mechanical and electromechanical processes, equipment operation, logistics, and maintenance.
“Cladtek aims to demonstrate that an inclusive and accessible industrial environment is achievable”, said Eduardo Menezes, vice-president for the Americas.
‘Participants will be trained to perform various roles within our facility. This is a step toward reducing long-standing barriers faced by PwDs from entering industrial workplaces”, he adds.
Despite legislation supporting the rights of PwDs, their representation in Brazil’s industrial workforce remains low. According to the Ministry of Labor, less than 1% of operational roles are held by PwDs in the Brazilian industrial sector, with obstacles including physical inaccessibility, limited training, and cultural resistance within organisations.
“The ‘Inclusion that Transforms’ program is not just a way to meet legal requirements,” Menezes added. “We aim to develop talent aligned with our values and promote lasting change in the workforce. It supports the professional growth of participants and helps drive cultural change.”
Commitment to diversity and inclusion
Following a selection process in March, 25 individuals were chosen to join the program. Training began in April, focusing on MLP production and documentation, logistics, and industrial maintenance. In June, participants will begin working at Cladtek, bringing the total number of people with disabilities (PwDs) employed at the Cladtek Brazil facility to 30. While the program currently operates only in Brazil, it may be expanded based on its outcomes.
This initiative is part of Cladtek’s broader commitment to diversity and inclusion. One of the company’s core values is ensuring equal opportunity across its workforce. This commitment is reflected in Cladtek’s day-to-day operations.
Cladtek recently awarded the Great Place to Work (GPTW) certification, achieving high approval ratings in key workplace areas:
95% affirmed fair treatment regardless of sexual orientation
93% acknowledged respect for racial and ethnic diversity
92% highlighted equal treatment across genders
For more information, please visit https://www.offshore-technology.com/contractors/corrosion/cladtek-holdings-pte-ltd