A case study about the Engineers at School project represented the Vale Foundation at the World Volunteer Conference, which took place on January 26 in Singapore. The project shows how our work can contribute directly to developing the locations where Vale operates.
In all, 161 engineers and technicians from Vale and partner companies carried out infrastructure assessments at 132 schools in the state of Maranhão in 2010. They also produced 660 building plans using computer program AutoCAD for the education secretariats of three municipalities in the state.
Without this detailed analysis of their needs, the institutions would not be able to apply this year for grants from the “Fundescola” school improvement fund. The Ministry of Education requires such documentation, which can only be produced by engineers and technicians. Given that small municipalities often find it hard to hire this kind of professional, they frequently end up unable to receive funds allocated to school building projects.