In Brazil, more than 1.5 million jobs have been lost since the beginning of the pandemic—and Seventh-day Adventists in the southeastern portion of the nation are helping unemployed people, regardless of affiliation, to find work.

Data from the General Register of Employed and Unemployed (Caged) reveal the state of the economy in recent months: the rate that calculates the proportion of employed persons within the working-age population is the lowest since 1992: around 46.8%.

Thinking of helping those who lost their jobs and are unable to reposition themselves in the job market, the Adventist Church in the the church’s southeast region launched the 7Job website. Users can upload their resumes, create profiles of their services, and even pursue entrepreneurial ventures. 

Meet the 7Job

Thiarlles Boeker, a Seventh-day Adventist pastor and stewardship director for the church region, created the program. He explained that 7Job aims to create a networking space for people. 

“It is for those looking for a formal job or an entrepreneurial life. Our goal is to create a business and development ‘plaza.’ It is a way of saying that we are concerned with what is happening and that something is being done to address today’s needs,” he explains.

Basically, 7Job will create a bank of professional resumes from various parts of Brazil. Employers and entrepreneurs will have access to the data and will be able to search for professionals, as well as offer their services.

Entrepreneurship

7Job has a tab for career development, equipped with content such as podcasts, articles, and videos. Among other subjects, the site shares tips on how to undertake an entrepreneurial venture, as this has become a necessity for many.

Driven by the crisis, Brazilians sought entrepreneurial activity for an alternative income. In the first nine months of 2020, the number of individual entrepreneurs (MEIs) grew 14.8%, compared to the previous year.

This article was originally published on the South American Division’s Portuguese news site