Fundación Laboral de la Construcción participated in the organisation and development of the training event Master Your Skills 2025, within the framework of the 'CONCRETO' project, co-funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme. This initiative aims to foster the conservation and sustainable rehabilitation of concrete structures in Europe, combining theoretical and practical training, while adding value through collaborations with leading companies and manufacturers from the construction sector.

From 3 to 12 April, Madrid hosted the in-person training of the ‘CONCRETO’ programme at the facilities of the Technical University of Madrid (UPM), as well as in other manufacturing companies and research centres from the sector (Grupo PUMA, Sika Spain, HOLCIM, Saint-Gobain, and the Eduardo Torroja Institute of Construction Sciences of the CSIC). There, participants deepened their knowledge in key areas such as durability, sustainability, new materials, and decarbonisation strategies for concrete, all with a practical focus aligned with the reality of the sector.

In this experience, Isaac Navarro, a Higher Vocational Training student in Construction Works Organisation and Control, and Michelle Arango, a Medium-Level Vocational Training student in Construction Technician, both from Fundación Laboral de la Construcción, had the opportunity to expand their training in an international and multidisciplinary environment. They shared knowledge alongside other students from various training programmes and construction professionals from Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and Türkiye.

Closing event of the ‘CONCRETO’ experience

The final highlight of the training took place on 11 April with the celebration of CONCRETO Day, a public event held at the headquarters of the College of Civil Engineers (Colegio de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos). The event brought together representatives of the consortium partner entities, key sector stakeholders, and students.

Beatriz Oliete, Head of International Projects at Fundación Laboral, highlighted during her speech the importance of this kind of initiative, which brings together future workers from different professional profiles within the construction value chain in an international learning experience. She also underlined how it fosters the acquisition of transversal skills, such as communication and teamwork.

Throughout the morning, representatives from the European consortium entities and experts from the sector presented good practices in the rehabilitation of built heritage in concrete, such as the intervention at the Legazpi Fruit and Vegetable Market or the dismantling of the Francisco Silvela flyover in Madrid.

More details about the project

The ‘CONCRETO’ project, led by the Pier Luigi Nervi Project Foundation, brings together 13 entities from five European countries. It aims to provide the sector with practical and training tools for greener rehabilitation through its CONCRETO Academy programme, which will continue this summer with the Masterpiece experience in Ivrea (Italy), a UNESCO World Heritage city.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.