Jornal de Leiria – Against the shortage of qualified human resources, train, train, train

There are many professions related to the construction sector where it is extremely difficult to find younger generations with the desire and qualifications to ensure they pass the testimonial. The problem, which is already significant, will worsen in a frightening way, as older people retire and the sector fails to capture the interest of young people, warn businesspeople in the sector.

Several entities are working to counter this phenomenon, whether through awareness-raising actions, a wide range of training courses, or support for companies in recruiting professionals.

This is the case of the Regional Association of Construction and Public Works Industries (ARICOP) of Leiria and Ourém, or Flexsis, a company dedicated to the selection and recruitment of human resources, which also operates in the construction sector. Also in the area of ​​production of decorative, ceramic and glass items, Cencal (Professional Training Center for the Ceramic Industry) has been promoting several courses, both for beginners and more experienced professionals.

José Luís Sismeiro (from the company Mesis- Engenharia) was recently reappointed as president of ARICOP, for the 2024/2025 biennium. To JORNAL DE LEIRIA, José Luís Sismeiro explains that this biennium, the association will continue to work for the renewal of the class. “We need to have young and motivated people on our staff”, highlights the president of ARICOP, who is concerned about the near future of construction. It is necessary to ensure the passing of testimony, because within seven or eight years many workers will be retiring and it will be even more difficult to find human resources, estimates the president. The sector requires qualified labor, which takes several years to train, and some immigrant citizens, who have shown themselves available, have not yet had time to acquire the necessary experience, notes the director.

“There are very important jobs, but where it is increasingly difficult to find professionals. The bricklayers are in this group”, says José Luís Sismeiro. “A good, versatile bricklayer is the base of the entire pyramid. It is he who supports all the work that follows”, notes the president. “A good bricklayer, with experience and transversal knowledge, can even do some tiling and plastering work. The opposite does not happen”, compares the ARICOP director.

“We have been reinforcing training. However, young people with more aptitude for physical work do not like staying in the classroom. And on site, those who have the knowledge often do not have the necessary flexibility to dedicate part of their time to training”, notes José Luís Sismeiro, for whom theoretical-practical training is essential. ARICOP has also approached schools. However, families and teachers do not really recognize the advantages of this professional career, says the president of the association.

“But this will jeopardize the sustainability of housing in our country”, warns the leader. “I already felt this in the 80s. When I entered commercial school, I wanted to follow a technical course in the construction field and I ended up following a mechanical course, precisely due to a lack of students interested in the area I wanted”, shares the president. This work to raise awareness among families and schools will have to continue to be done. The community needs to know that “the salaries in this sector are attractive and that this area has many opportunities and it is easy for someone to become an entrepreneur”, considers the leader. And, although the sector has never aroused particular interest among women, there are several roles that can be performed by women, notes José Luís Sismeiro.

Cencal has more than four decades of training in ceramics and glass

Founded in 1981, in the municipality of Caldas da Rainha, Cencal, later expanded with a center in Alcobaça, and another in Marinha Grande (more dedicated to the glass sector), and continues to be a training space that It offers courses related to decoration and industrial production, whether for beginners or ceramics and glass professionals.

“We are currently promoting a modeling path, at the Alcobaça hub, in ceramic painting, which has been in reasonable demand. It is a course aimed at adults, aged 18 and over, people who do not have skills in these areas. Therefore, they are initial training courses. Also in Marinha Grande we have several actions in the area of ​​blown glass, in glass fusing techniques, stained glass and blowtorch techniques”, specifies Pedro Paramos, responsible for Cencal’s training services. In Caldas da Rainha, “we also have a technical ceramics course, but it is not being promoted. Cencal is remodeling its facilities and modernizing its equipment and this course should only return at the end of this process, at the beginning of 2026”, estimates Pedro Paramos.

In addition to introductory courses, the Central also offers courses for professionals from ceramics and glass companies. Ceramic technology and process, ceramic painting and decoration, design and development of ceramic products, ceramic modeling, laboratory techniques are some of them, lists the person responsible for Cencal’s training services.

Flexsis in recruiting professionals, also in construction

Recently arrived in Portugal, more specifically Leiria, Flexsis is a brand of Swiss origin, which arrives to select and recruit candidates for various professional sectors, such as construction, industry and logistics. In an informative note, published on its website, the brand makes it known that “Flexsis, emerging from the recent merger between the prestigious Swiss companies Interima and Global Personal Partner, both belonging to the Interiman Group, began its ambitious internationalization process, choosing Portugal as a starting point. Flexsis Portugal, specialized in human resources and temporary work, officially opened its delegation in Leiria this year”.

The company, which “has extensive experience in the civil construction, industry and logistics sectors, aims to offer personalized solutions for the specific needs of the Portuguese market”, it continues.

“Flexsis Portugal in Leiria is prepared to provide comprehensive recruitment and human resources management services, helping companies and professionals find the best matches in the current dynamic job market”, highlights the brand. “Despite currently only operating from Leiria, Flexsis Portugal aims to expand its presence in the country, with the implementation of new delegations planned for the near future. This growth strategy reflects Flexsis’ confidence in the potential of the Portuguese market and the desire to become a trusted partner for local companies and professionals”, highlights this banner.

“Flexsis’ international expansion represents not only a significant milestone for the company, but also an exciting opportunity for the business and professional community in Portugal”, concludes the brand.