Brazil is facing a historic shortage of construction workers; Wages are rising rapidly, and construction companies are investing in technology and retraining to prevent collapses on construction sites.
Brazil is experiencing a historic shortage of construction workers, a phenomenon that is threatening the progress of large public and private projects across the country. With the sector's recovery driven by the PAC (Promotional Growth Acceleration Program), the growth of real estate loans and the expansion of logistics and energy projects, what was once a specific problem has become a structural workforce crisis. A survey by Brazilian Chamber of Construction Industry (CBIC) and data from Locked up indicate that the deficit is larger 230,000 qualified specialiststhe largest in two decades.
Growing deficit and idle construction sites
Engineering and construction companies report difficulties filling entry-level positions, particularly in management positions. Bricklayers, craftsmen, carpenters, plumbers and electriciansIn high-growth regions such as the Northeast and Midwest, some construction sites are operating with only 60% of the required workforce.
According to a Jose Carlos MartinsPresident of CBIC said the sector was experiencing a “technical blackout”. “There is money, projects and demand, but there is a lack of people to rebuild Brazil. The construction industry lost almost a million workers during the pandemic and many never returned,” he said in a recent interview.
The problem is exacerbated by the lack of professional training. Students have been losing out on basic technical courses that train builders, machine operators and construction technicians for years. According to the SenaiThe supply of courses has fallen by around 20% over the last decade, while the demand for skilled workers has increased by more than 40%.
Young people are rejecting the sector and salaries are rising
One of the biggest challenges is this lack of interest from new generations. Research shows that less than 10% of young Brazilians consider construction an attractive career field.
The combination of intense physical labor, long hours in the sun and historically low wages has driven out new workers. The result is this Veterans are retiring and there are no replacements in sight.
To stem the exodus, construction companies are offering deals Salaries up to 60% higher in basic functions. A qualified bricklayer who earned R$2,500 per month in 2023 can now earn more than R$4,000 depending on the region. Builders can earn $8,000 monthlySocial benefits and accommodation included. Nevertheless, the positions remain open.
According to information from Ministry of Laborthere are currently more than 120,000 unfilled positions in the industry across the country. Companies are also reporting significant increases in overtime costs and extended deadlines for infrastructure projects.
Reindustrialization and the real estate boom are exacerbating the problem
The resumption of public and private investment has accelerated the shortage. New PACThe program, launched in 2023, envisages more than R$1.7 trillion in construction work by 2026, including ports, highways, sanitation, railways and housing My home, my life.
In addition, the real estate boom in rural areas and medium-sized capitals – such as Goiânia, Fortaleza and Campinas – dramatically increased the demand for skilled workers. Major construction companies such as MRV, Direcional and Pacaembu report average project delays of 60 days due to labor shortages.
The same scenario repeats itself in industrial solar and wind energy projects where there is a shortage of energy Fitters, electricians and crane operators. Brazilian Solar Energy Association (ABSOLAR) estimates that 30% of new facilities will operate with reduced staff.
Companies are turning to inclusion and technology to close this gap
Given the scenario the industry is betting on two complementary solutions: inclusion of new profiles and automation. Construction companies are increasing hiring Women, older people and graduates from other sectorsin addition to offering direct on-site training.
Programs in partnership with the SENAI And System S offer accelerated training with just 160 hours, guaranteeing certification and immediate market entry. A pilot project was launched in São Paulo “Hands on 4.0” has already trained more than 5 workers in just one year, with 90% employability.
At the same time, the investment in modular construction technologies, 3D concrete printing and automation systems. Paraná-based startup TecBuild, for example, uses robots to lay blocks, reducing the workload on medium-sized projects by up to 40%. Nevertheless, experts believe that automation will not replace human workers in the foreseeable future – it will only partially alleviate the shortage.
The future of construction and the risk of stagnation
If the deficit is not reduced, CBIC estimates that Brazil could Lose up to 1.2% of GDP in 2025 only due to delays and interruptions in construction. The sector, which accounts for approx 7% of the economydepends directly on the expansion of employment and technical skills.
There is consensus among analysts that the country needs one “New Education Pact” to upgrade construction professions.
“While Europe suffers from an aging workforce, Brazil has the demographic advantage – but misses the opportunity because of a lack of practical training,” he warns. Eduardo ZaidanEconomist at Sinduscon-SP.
The current crisis reveals more than just a market problem: it reflects an economy that has returned to growth faster than its ability to train and employ. The construction industry, a symbol of Brazilian development, is now facing an unprecedented challenge: the lack of someone to build them.