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The construction industry in Espírito Santo is facing a serious labor crisis. With the sector collapsing, the state is looking for a revolutionary solution in China.
A labor shortage continues to be a major challenge for the construction sector in Espírito Santo, but, surprisingly, the solution may come from distant lands: Chinese technology.
At this time, businesspeople in the sector, including the president of the State Civil Construction Industry Union (Sinduscon-ES), Douglas Vaz, are looking for innovative alternatives to face the crisis in the job market.
Recently, the businessman traveled to China to participate in the International Mission Shanghai 2025, an initiative that aims to bring Brazil closer to the most advanced technological solutions, with stops in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.
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During the mission, Brazilian businesspeople, including Vaz, aim to discover how the Asian country has solved its own problems in the engineering sector, and how these solutions could be implemented in Espírito Santo.
The focus, in particular, is on technologies that replace manual effort, reducing dependence on traditional labor.
Technology as a solution for the sector
According to the vice-president of Sinduscon-ES, Leandro Lorenzon, the main challenge for civil construction in the state is gradually replace manual work with more efficient and technological solutions.
“The idea is to bring technology that will increasingly replace the need for man to do the work manually,” says Lorenzon.
With the modernization of construction processes, new technologies are being tested, such as the use of 3D printers, automation and more advanced material prefabrication systems, which can reduce the need for workers on construction sites, but still require professionals to be trained to handle these new tools.
The lack of interest among young people in entering the construction industry is a factor that further aggravates the labor shortage.
This is largely due to the devaluation of manual labor, especially among the new generations, who are looking for more profitable alternatives that require less physical effort.
The aging of the population, combined with the lack of qualified professionals, is making labor replacement a growing problem, which directly impacts the cost of construction work and, consequently, the final price of properties.
The impact of labor shortages on the sector's economy
The phenomenon of lack of professionals can also affect inflation in the construction sector.
According to Lorenzon, the increase in labor costs is directly reflected in the property prices, making the works more expensive and reducing the competitiveness of the local market.
“Young people, with more profitable and less demanding alternatives, no longer have any ambition for the construction industry, which is detrimental to the replacement of workers. This will somehow affect the cost of labor and, consequently, the price of real estate,” explains the vice-president of Sinduscon-ES.
In addition to replacing manual labor, the sector seeks modernize construction sites.
With the use of prefabricated items e industrialized products, civil construction will be able to minimize the presence of human labor on the construction site.
The concept of “industrialization” of construction implies the creation of a more automated environment, where the production of various components occurs outside the construction site, allowing for greater progress in the agility and efficiency of construction work.
Challenges in professional training
However, even with technological innovations, the sector still faces the challenge of professional training.
Implementing these new technologies requires workers to be properly trained to operate them, which can take time and investment.
For the sector to adapt to technological changes, a continuous process of training new professionals will be necessary.
“If we’re talking about a 3D printer, for example, I have to have the printer to train the person to use it. But, in the meantime, other smaller functions are also taking place,” highlights Lorenzon.
That is, even if technology reduces the need for labor in heavy tasks, training of new professionals will continue to be essential for the sector.
Real estate market appreciation in Espírito Santo
While the construction sector seeks technological solutions to its workforce challenges, the real estate market in Espírito Santo is experiencing a phase of great appreciation.
In Vitória, the state capital, the price per square meter has increased impressively 23,51% between 2023 and 2024, according to data from the Sinduscon-ES Real Estate Census.
This increase reflects a growing market value, which has seen higher prices for new properties, especially in high-end areas.
Luxury properties, with four bedrooms or more, also showed a significant increase, reaching R$ 21.114 per square meter, an increase in 31,96% compared to last year.
This increase in prices has raised concerns about the market accessibility for the local population, as the most expensive properties are increasingly out of reach for a considerable portion of buyers.
On the other hand, in Vila Velha, the city neighboring the capital, the real estate market had a more timid appreciation.
In the last two years, the progress was only 5,55% for high standard properties and 11,95% considering all types of apartments.
Even with lower growth, this appreciation still reflects the growing demand in the region's real estate sector.
The future of construction: adapting to the digital age
The industry of construction in Espírito Santo is on the verge of a technological revolution, but changes take time.
A implementation of advanced technologies, such as 3D printing and automation, are essential to address the lack of skilled labor, but the challenge of train new professionals and adapting the market to these changes cannot be underestimated.
The future of civil construction, with the use of Chinese technologies and other innovations, seems promising, but it will only be viable with a continuous effort of training and adaptation.
Meanwhile, the real estate market remains buoyant, and the construction prices continue to rise, reflecting the impact of labor shortages and new demands in the sector.
Do you believe that the adoption of advanced technologies can really replace the lack of labor in the construction sector or will the challenge of professional training be a difficult obstacle to overcome? Share your opinion in the comments!
