FIEC Newsletter – 5 Μαίου 2026

• Attractiveness: the VET strategy should push for better career guidance, more permeability between VET and higher education and communication and awareness raising campaigns, especially for sectors facing labour shortage such as construction.
• Modernisation: green and digital skills should be fully integrated in VET programmes to really fit the needs of the companies and be labour market relevant.
• Investments: as recommended by Mario Draghi, a minimum share of funding of skills policies should be dedicated towards adult learning and vocational training.
• Mobility: mobility programmes for apprentices and VET students should be further promoted and easily accessible.

On 30^th April, the key stakeholders of the construction sector gathered at the High Level Construction Forum in Brussels, chaired by Natalia Zebrowska, the new Head of Unit of the Unit Construction (DG GROW). The day was largely dedicated to the housing crisis and the response that the construction industry can bring, namely via the implementation of the European Strategy for Housing Construction.

In the opening sessions, FIEC Vice-President Joël Schons highlighted that, beyond closing the funding gap and boosting private investment, 4 more levers are required to scale up the delivery capacity: a real Single Market for offsite and modular systems, better incentives for secondary materials, the strong promotion of AI and robotics, including with more suitable insurance schemes, and further support to workers’ life-long learning and fair mobility.

In the afternoon, participants splitted in groups to address more specifically the need to simplify residential permitting and administrative procedures, to enable access to and circulation of secondary construction materials and products, and to innovate in construction, via the implementation of the Construction Products Regulation as well as offsite construction.

On 29^th April, FIEC Vice-President Joël Schons participated in the first Industrial Dialogue for robotics in construction, organised by the European Commission. Among a panel of key stakeholders and practitioners, Schons confirmed that robotics and innovation in construction in more general terms can help build much faster. However, he stressed that, for this purpose, several conditions are necessary: pilot technologies must be ready to work in real-life situations and deliver from day 1, 3D models / digital maps must be available at all times and all levels of the construction and supply chain, workers must be upskilled to adapt to these new trends, and the EU must move fast to keep pace with its international competitors.

Most speakers agreed that while the technology is ready, most bottlenecks lie in the necessary 3D models / digital maps which is a data issue in the first place, as well as potential regulatory clashes – e.g. between EU rules like the Machinery Regulation and the AI Act.

FIEC is pleased to co-organise with CleanTech a high-level Masterclass entitled “The Pact for Skills and what new skills will drive the twin transition?”, taking place on the 18th and 19th of June 2026 at FIEC premises in Brussels, Belgium. The event is led by the BuildSkills Academy Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE), dedicated to strengthening vocational education and training (VET) systems in the construction sector.

Bringing together industry leaders, VET providers, policymakers, and skills experts from across Europe, the Masterclass will explore evolving skills needs, innovative workforce transformation practices, and pathways for upskilling the European construction ecosystem, with a view to reinforcing the sector’s resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability in line with the Pact for Skills.

The event will be held physically in Brussels and conducted in English.
Learn more on the event and registration details: