Brazilian industry faces structural labor shortage

The Brazilian industrial and construction sectors are facing a structural shortage of skilled labor. According to the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), mentions of labor scarcity in industry rose from 5% between 2015–2020 to 23% in 2024. The sector reportedly needs to qualify approximately 14 million professionals by 2027 to keep pace with technological changes.

In response to these challenges, companies are implementing internal training initiatives. Tirolez, a major Brazilian cheese producer, has launched the ‘Arena do Conhecimento’ in partnership with Unico Skill. This program provides over 2,000 employees with access to various educational resources, including undergraduate and postgraduate courses, languages, and mentorships.

In the construction sector, Eduardo Fischer, CEO of MRV&CO, noted that the labor shortage is a long-term structural issue. He highlighted that younger workers are increasingly seeking different career paths, comparing the aging workforce in Brazil to trends seen in China. Fischer suggested that industrialization, tax reforms, and the modernization of municipal master plans are essential to overcoming these hurdles and facilitating social interest housing.