Applications are now open for the program idealized by Belmiro de Azevedo in the 80’s, aimed at final year undergraduate and graduate students, which this year aims to give a record number of candidates the opportunity to join the Sonae Group.
In 1986, the year Portugal joined the European Union, Sonae became a pioneer in a market that was still virgin to “trainee” programs, launching an initiative to recruit young people who had completed their higher education and were looking for an opportunity to enter the labor market.
Conceived by Belmiro de Azevedo, the late emblematic leader of the Maia-based business world, who once said that “at Sonae you are either a leader or a candidate for leadership”, the Contacto Program is now launching its 38th edition, which this year aims to give a record number of 94 candidates the opportunity to start their professional career at Portugal’s largest private group.
Integrating Sonae and Sonae Arauco, the Contacto Program aims to “create future leaders, valuing the individuality of each one and promoting diversity”, with the motto for 2023 being “Own your Journey”, a reference to the proactive and entrepreneurial spirit we want to stimulate in the candidates.
“In order to develop their full potential, young people will start their professional career through a personalized path, with mentoring, networking and contact with business leaders, as well as a remuneration higher than that of the entry level general technician career,” highlights Sonae, this Tuesday, February 28, in a statement.
“We want to support young people and contribute to their personal and professional development. The Contacto program offers a differentiated experience designed to promote their growth as future leaders, taking advantage of our ecosystem and giving access to diverse and enriching experiences”, emphasizes João Günther Amaral, member of Sonae’s Executive Committee.
In 1986, the year Portugal joined the European Union, Sonae became a pioneer in a market that was still virgin to “trainee” programs, launching an initiative to recruit young people who had completed their higher education and were looking for an opportunity to enter the labor market.
Conceived by Belmiro de Azevedo, the late emblematic leader of the Maia-based business world, who once said that “at Sonae, you are either a leader or a candidate for leadership”, the Contacto Program is now launching its 38th edition, which this year aims to give a record number of 94 candidates the opportunity to start their professional career at Portugal’s largest private group.
The Contacto program, which integrates Sonae and Sonae Arauco, aims to “create future leaders, valuing the individuality of each one and promoting diversity”, with the motto for 2023 being “Own your Journey”, a reference to the proactive and entrepreneurial spirit we want to stimulate in candidates.
“To develop their full potential, the young people will start their professional career through a personalized path, with mentoring, networking and contact with business leaders, as well as a remuneration higher than that of the entry level general technician career,” highlights Sonae, this Tuesday, February 28, in a statement.
“We want to support young people and contribute to their personal and professional development. The Contacto program offers a differentiated experience designed to promote their growth as future leaders, taking advantage of our ecosystem and giving access to diverse and enriching experiences”, emphasizes João Günther Amaral, member of Sonae’s Executive Committee.
“Sonae is committed to improving the quality of youth employment in Portugal, so this year we have a record number of opportunities open, with conditions that value young people at the beginning of their careers. We’re looking forward to everyone’s contribution to challenge us and make a difference”, concludes the same director of the group led by Cláudia Azevedo.
Applications until March 24, admissions in May and September
The Contacto program is aimed at young finalists or recent graduates with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in various fields, including information technology, computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics, data analysis, management, economics, finance, marketing, communications, among others, with challenges in areas such as food retailing, electronics, financial services and industry.
“After applying, they will be invited to participate in a series of gamified online tests that will assess their correspondence to the desired profile for the program and to Sonae’s values”, being valued profiles “with an entrepreneurial spirit and a great willingness to learn and create impact, as well as characteristics such as curiosity, creativity, analytical thinking and collaborative spirit”, signals the Maiato Group.
A group of candidates will then be selected to take part in the assessment, which will take place in April and consist of several stages.
“First, there will be online pitch interviews with presentations to a panel of Sonae judges. Then there is the ‘meet-up & final interview’, a day dedicated to networking and interviews, which takes place in a face-to-face format at Sonae’s headquarters. And finally, the Match, which is the selection of opportunities based on the preferences of the candidates and the business leaders who actively participate in the selection process, emphasizing empathy and the match between the candidate’s profile and the opportunity in question,” explains Sonae.
The entry of the selected young talents will take place in May or September, “depending on their availability and the projects in which they will be inserted”.
Sonae emphasizes that “throughout their journey, the young people will have access to training and can count on the support of business leaders to ensure their integration into the teams, the development of their skills and the conditions to contribute with new ideas, solutions and projects, as well as the Contacto Program team, so that the experience evolves according to their expectations”.
At the end of the program, he concludes, “the young talents will have the opportunity to continue their careers in Sonae companies”.
Those interested should register by March 24 at http://sonaecontacto.pt/.