Skills’ strengthening for a more resilient and sustainable construction sector of the Republic of Moldova

The event brought together the representatives of pertinent ministries, such as the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, including experts, economic entities from the construction sector, development partners and representatives of educational and vocational training system.

The workshop is a continuation of the previous event organized in Chisinau, in March 2025, which convened key actors of the construction sector to discuss the conclusions of the Diagnostic Study prepared on the base of the ILO STED methodology. This first stage permitted collective validation of challenges and needs for skills of the sector, and also   outlined the strategic vision drawn in the current Roadmap. The initiative is part of the project "Inclusive and productive employment in Moldova" implemented by the ILO with the financial support of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

At the opening of the online workshop, Alessandra Molz, ILO skills development specialist, emphasized the importance of aligning the workforce skills with the modernization, energy efficiency and digitization trends of the sector.

The national expert Veronica Midari presented the main conclusions of the Diagnostic Study and the priorities of the Roadmap. The latter are, in particular, related to reducing the skills deficit in constructions, in such areas as energy efficiency, digitization and project management, promoting continuous training and recognizing the prior learning, strengthening the link between the private sector and vocational education institutions and ensuring a skilled workforce adapted to green and digital transition.

The construction sector contributes with more than 8% to the GDP and employs around 63,000 workers, nonetheless it faces a sequence of challenges: high level of informal work (65%), shortage of technical and digital skills, emigration of skilled workers and low participation in continuous vocational training.

The study regarding Recognition of Prior Learning was also presented at the workshop, it highlighted the need for clear mechanisms of validation of skills acquired in informal contexts, especially for experienced workers with no formal qualifications.

 The most important recommendations, approved by the participants, include the following:  creation of clear trends for professional development in constructions, modernization of educational programs in partnership with employers, diversification of short-term training for demanded occupations, and strengthening the institutional capacities for application of quality and safety standards in constructions.

The event ended with a dialogue between the representatives of the ministries expressing latter is firm commitment to support the implementation of the Roadmap and to contribute to the creation of a vigorous skills ecosystem, adapted to the needs of the sector and to the objectives of sustainable development of the Republic of Moldova.

For more information, please contact us: 

Ms. Violeta Vrabie, ILO project coordinator. 

Phone: + (373) 78 11 33 90; e-mail: vrabie@ilo.org

Ms. Ala Lipciu, ILO National Coordinator for Moldova. 

Phone: + (373) 693888384; e-mail: lipciu@ilo.org