Isaac Navarro, a student from the Higher Level Programme in Construction Works Organisation and Control in Navarra, and Michelle Arango, a student from the Intermediate Level Programme in Construction in Aragón, formed part of the Fundación Laboral de la Construcción student group that participated in this international experience, co-funded by the European Union's Erasmus+ programme.

Isaac and Michelle, alongside young people from Italy, Turkey and Spain, completed their 'CONCRETO Academy' training in the city of Ivrea, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architectural and industrial value. There they had the opportunity to apply knowledge acquired throughout the year within this European initiative, working directly on concrete building restoration using sustainable rehabilitation techniques.

An international experience

The 'CONCRETO Academy' programme develops in three complementary phases and bases its training on the learning-by-doing methodology, which consists of learning through practical experience, applying knowledge in real situations. The first phase, 'CONCRETO Steppingstone', is an online introduction to theoretical content. The second, 'CONCRETO Master your Skills', combines theory and practice in face-to-face mode, which took place in Spain this year, and will be in Turkey next year. The third and final phase, 'CONCRETO Masterpiece', takes place annually in Ivrea, where participants apply what they have learned in a real working environment.

One of the most valued aspects of this experience has been the richness of the international group, composed of students from several countries and different educational levels, from Vocational Training students to university students. Michelle Arango highlights from the experience "having met new people and the teamwork from the whole group". For his part, Isaac Navarro comments about his participation that "all this made me grow a lot not only professionally, but personally".

Specialised training and commitment to sustainability

This European project aims to train 84 students over three years in order to promote sustainable rehabilitation of European concrete architecture. It is coordinated by the Pier Luigi Nervi Foundation (Foundation PLN Project) from Belgium and involves participation from Fundación Laboral de la Construcción as a partner entity, along with twelve other organisations from Spain, Italy, Turkey, Netherlands and Belgium.

Furthermore, through this initiative the book 'CONCRETO Code Book' has also been published, a research study that analyses the main challenges and opportunities in historic concrete conservation, promoting a more technical, sustainable and conscious vision of European architectural heritage.

With projects like this, Fundación Laboral de la Construcción continues to champion quality, innovative and inclusive training that connects students with the present and future of the sector, boosting their professional and personal development in an international environment.

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.