ERI SEE Participated in the BuildSkills Academy Masterclass in Bologna, 8–9 October 2026

The Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe (ERI SEE), represented by its Director, Sandra Brkanović, together with Maja Todorović, Head of the Centre for Vocational and Adult Education at the Institute for Improvement of Education, Serbia, participated in the BuildSkills Academy Masterclass “Building the Future: Attracting and Retaining Young Talent in Europe’s Construction Sector”, held on 8–9 October 2026 in Bologna, Italy, within the framework of the SAIE International Building Exhibition.

The event brought together representatives of vocational education and training (VET) institutions, industry, academia and European organisations to exchange experiences and explore innovative approaches to making the construction sector more attractive to young people, particularly in the context of the green and digital transitions.

The Masterclass focused on key challenges and opportunities related to attracting and retaining young talent in construction, including diversity and inclusion, emerging green and digital skills, innovative technologies, sustainability and the development of quality training pathways. Particular attention was given to strengthening cooperation between education providers and industry, addressing skills shortages and promoting new career opportunities in the sector.

The two-day programme combined expert presentations, panel discussions, interactive sessions and practical insights into innovative training approaches and emerging technologies. Participants also had the opportunity to explore developments in the construction industry through a guided visit to the SAIE Fair.

ERI SEE’s participation reflects its continued commitment to strengthening regional cooperation in vocational education and training, promoting skills development and supporting the alignment of education and training systems with the evolving needs of the labour market. The event provided an opportunity to exchange European practices and explore approaches relevant to improving the attractiveness of VET and supporting the green and digital transitions across South Eastern Europe.

The Masterclass was organised within the framework of the Erasmus+ co-funded BuildSkills Academy project, contributing to European efforts to develop a skilled, innovative and future-ready construction workforce.