A atuação dos servidores agentes de contratação do IFFar no contexto da educação profissional e tecnológica (EPT) : o autorreconhecimento da sua atividade na formação integral dos estudantes

Abstract

This research, conducted within the Professional and Technological Education Graduate Program (ProfEPT), analyzed the work of procurement agents at the Federal Institute Farroupilha (IFFar) as education professionals. Unlike previous ProfEPT studies, which examined public procurement from technical, legal, or operational perspectives, generally focused on processes or on requesting units, this study offers an original contribution by centering on the individuals responsible for public purchasing and examining how they perceive their role in the students’ educational process. This is a descriptive, qualitative investigation, characterized as bibliographical, documentary, and a case study. Data were collected through bibliographical and documentary research, a semi-structured questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews. Thirteen of the seventeen procurement agents working at IFFar participated in the study. Data analysis followed the procedures of Discursive Textual Analysis (DTA). Based on the findings, an educational product was developed: a Didactic Guide aimed at strengthening integration among the staff involved in procurement processes. The guide was evaluated by seven of the thirteen participants, who provided entirely positive assessments. The results indicated that most procurement agents perceive themselves as integral to the educational process and the holistic development of students, recognizing the relevance of their activities to the institutional mission and to the principles of Professional and Technological Education (PTE). However, these principles were not yet fully consolidated within the organizational culture. Even so, participants reported that a more solid understanding of PTE could enhance daily institutional activities. Recurrent perceptions of low institutional recognition and appreciation also emerged, along with reports of insufficient training, both in PTE and in procurement procedures for the effective performance of the duties assigned to procurement agents and support/requesting teams.