As the European construction sector undergoes a dual transition—towards greater sustainability and deeper digitalisation—its success hinges on workforce readiness. While the sector remains a major employer, it faces serious demographic, technological, and educational challenges. The European Union is responding with robust policy instruments and funding programmes. In this context, R2M Solution is advancing targeted projects that combine innovative training, immersive technologies, and capacity-building to equip workers and trainers with future-proof skills.
Sommario
The construction and building sector is a cornerstone of Europe’s economy, employing nearly 13 million people directly and encompassing an ecosystem of around 25 million workers. As reported in a recent article by BUILD UP, the European portal dedicated to energy efficiency and sustainability in the built environment, the sector contributes around 9% to the EU’s GDP and plays a key role in achieving climate targets. Buildings, in fact, are responsible for approximately 40% of total energy consumption and 36% of CO₂ emissions in the EU. However, a severe shortage of skilled labor, declining interest among younger generations, and the projected retirement of nearly 4 million workers by 2035 add to the urgency of achieving decarbonization and digitalization goals. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic caused almost half a million job losses, many of which still need to be recovered.
Eurostat data shows that 55% of construction workers in the EU have a medium level of education, and the majority are aged between 25 and 49. Despite forecasts suggesting stable employment numbers until 2035, the sector faces occupational shortages in key roles such as civil engineers, bricklayers, and HVAC technicians. New demands—including mandatory Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) for some non-residential buildings from 2027, harmonised Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), and growing market demand for certifications like LEED, BREEAM, and WELL—underscore the urgency of skilling young professionals and upskilling senior workers.
European Policies and programmes to equip construction workers with the skills of the future
To address these multifaceted challenges, the European Union has launched a comprehensive policy and funding framework aimed at upskilling, reskilling, and supporting lifelong learning across the construction ecosystem. The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), Renewable Energy Directive (RED), and Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) introduce mandatory national training strategies, qualification schemes for renewable energy systems installers, and certification frameworks for professionals involved in energy efficiency. These are supported by initiatives such as BUILD UP Skills (BUS), which provides national skills platforms and training roadmaps, and the Green Deal Industrial Plan, which promotes Net-Zero Industry Academies and sector-specific upskilling.
At the same time, programmes like Erasmus+, the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), the Just Transition Fund, and InvestEU are channelling funds into education and workforce development. The Union of Skills initiative, launched in 2025, focuses on key transitions—including construction—offering a structured framework for developing future-ready competences across Europe.
Discover more in the BUILD UP article
Bridging the skills gap in the construction sector.
With a portfolio of projects focused on aligning training with market and regulatory needs, R2M Solution is playing a strategic and hands-on role in supporting the upskilling of future workers.
TEXIVOS - for an immersive learning experience
One such initiative is TEXIVOS (Testing XR4ED in Vocational Schools), coordinated by R2M under the Horizon Europe XR4ED programme. TEXIVOS brings Extended Reality (XR) into vocational training for construction workers through the EXTRA (EXtended TRAining) methodology. Developed in partnership with IIPLE, the project blends immersive XR modules on topics such as construction site safety with hands-on training in Living Labs. These environments simulate real-world conditions using mock-ups and micro-sites, allowing students to practice tasks such as structure assembly, workflow management, and equipment use in safe, realistic settings. The use of Augmented and Virtual Reality further enhances engagement, particularly for young, digital-native learners. R2M’s AVANTI tool enables personalised skills assessment throughout the process.
TEXIVOS’ strengths lie in the quality and dual profile of its teaching staff: instructors combine practical experience from construction sites and technical offices with a solid pedagogical background. This ensures that training content is always up-to-date and aligned with sector needs. As reported by Luisa Sileni, Head of Training at the IIPLE Building School of Bologna (a TEXIVOS project partner) for BUILD UP, this model, enhanced by the use of technologies like VR/AR, supports an experiential learning approach that significantly improves retention, especially among younger generations. It also allows for tackling complex or dangerous scenarios in controlled environments, fostering the development of both technical skills and health and safety awareness. TEXIVOS is a concrete example of how innovation can be integrated into vocational training to prepare the next generation of building sector professionals.
Delve deeper into the interview here.
ET4Digital - Supporting SMEs in their digital transformation
On a broader European scale, ET4Digital empowers trainers and educators to support the digital transformation of SMEs in the construction sector—a sector still in the early stages of digital maturity despite the availability of transformative technologies. The project focuses on co-designing a capacity-building programme and developing a digital demonstrator that trainers can use to experience and teach with emerging technologies. As part of its contribution, R2M conducted the Italian national study, “Analysis of Digital Ecosystem in Italy construction sector,” using surveys, literature reviews, and focus groups to map digital readiness and identify trainer skill gaps.
Key findings show that while tools like BIM, IoT, and 3D modelling software are widely known, technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Digital Twins, Augmented Reality, and Virtual Reality remain underutilised despite their strategic value. Barriers to adoption include high upfront costs, resistance to change, and a lack of specialised training. Trainers were found to have a solid grasp of basic tools but needed stronger capacities in advanced digital solutions and hybrid learning methods. Based on this analysis, R2M and its partners are designing a modular training programme to be piloted in seven EU countries, offering transnational guidelines and validation mechanisms. The project aims not only to upskill trainers but also to facilitate the broader uptake of digital practices in vocational and professional training ecosystems.
Through TEXIVOS and ET4Digital, R2M Solution demonstrates its commitment to addressing the sector’s most pressing skill needs, from on-site workers to trainers. By aligning EU policy, innovative tools, and real-world training, R2M is helping build the skilled workforce Europe needs to deliver its green and digital transition.
