In Brazil, Techint Engineering & Construction has been distinguished for the second time for its pioneering work in the area of diversity, following on from its success in the same enterprise in 2021.

During the 6^th Edition of the Human Rights and Diversity Seal ceremony, organized by the City of São Paulo on December 5^th, Techint E&C in Brazil was distinguished with an award for its work to promote gender equality in the country. The Seal is a distinction awarded annually by the Municipal Secretariat for Human Rights and Citizenship to companies, public bodies and organizations whose work showcases outstanding commitment to the challenges of inclusion, ranging from management and promotional activities to the defense of diversity and human rights.

“This award is a clear demonstration of the fact that we are on the right track as a company that defends the values enshrined in diversity, equity and inclusion, both in the corporate environment and in society in general. Our Diversity and Inclusion Program is making progress, guaranteeing greater opportunities and access without making any gender distinctions, and welcoming diverse profiles in our institution,” highlights Thiago de Oliveira, Business Development Director at Techint E&C in Brazil.

The award of the 6^th Seal to Techint E&C followed an exhaustive analysis of the initiatives carried out by the company’s Gender Pillar from 2017 to 2022, which ended up forming part of its Diversity and Inclusion Program. This was when the company’s actions in this area sharpened their focus on gender equality.

The Diversity and Inclusion Program was launched in 2020 and included the promotion of Diversity Week, during which a full range of activities habitually take place at the company. These include training courses held at the company's units, offices and construction sites; workshops on moral and sexual harassment; unconscious bias training courses for all employees which are now mandatory for senior leadership; the extension of paternity leave for 30 days; hybrid working system for mothers with infants of up to 12 months; the introduction of breastfeeding rooms; and lectures at universities given by women in leadership positions in the company to empower women engineering students.

In 2019, Techint E&C became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, a non-binding United Nations pact to get businesses and firms worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies, and to report on their implementation. The company pledged to work towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in the context of Diversity, focused on SDG 5, covering Gender Equality, to increase the presence of women in the engineering and construction sector. This initiative has already helped to reshape its recruitment processes; for instance, in the trainee program, for example, out of every five applicants, three must be women and, out of every three candidates shortlisted, at least one must be female. In recent years, the percentage of female trainees has increased from 20% in 2016 to 45% in 2020.

“Diversity needs to be a permanent feature on our agendas. It’s very important to continue taking actions as part of a gradual process to change our culture, helping us to shape a more competitive company where there is more equity, one aligned with the best diversity and inclusion practices. Companies that are more diverse get ahead faster by promoting engagement, attracting more motivated people, creating a good organizational climate, and achieving greater productivity,” adds Vanessa Mota, HR Sr. Manager.

In 2021, Techint was distinguished at the 4^th edition of the Seal thanks to the launch of its Diversity and Inclusion Program in Brazil. The company has been widely recognized for the range of its social activities and has garnered, among other awards, the merit of being the best company in this context in the Infrastructure sector, recognized by the Guia Ethos Exame Diversidade for the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, and by the Guia Ethos Época Diversidade 2023.

You may also be interested to read:

Diversity Workshops at Techint Engineering & Construction

Diversity, Harassment, Ethics and Transparent Line: A Commitment by all

Techint E&C is awarded the Seal of Human Rights and Diversity by the Sao Paulo City Council