Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
28 comments 
Who Would Have Thought That Amid The Accelerated Growth Of The Construction Industry, A Brazilian City Would See A Frantic Race For Skilled Labor, To The Point That Workers Are Hired In Less Than 24 Hours?
This scenario, which seems like a story of unparalleled opportunity, is a reality in Passo Fundo, a city in Rio Grande do Sul where, if you are qualified, jobs are plentiful. But why has this shortage of professionals become so acute? And how does it impact the future of construction in the city and in Brazil?
According to recent data, in Passo Fundo, a skilled construction worker can find a job in less than a day.
According to Julia Possa, GZH Passo Fundo journalist, the Sindicato das Indústrias e Construção de Mobiliário de Passo Fundo (Sinduscon) confirms that the demand for skilled professionals is so high that, on average, it takes less than 24 hours for someone to find a vacancy.
-
With 635 km, 441 stations, and driverless lines, the Shenzhen metro grows by 30 km per year and becomes a futuristic showcase that costs less than in the West.
-
Lufthansa shuts down subsidiary CityLine immediately, cuts 2,200 jobs overnight, and leaves 27 jets grounded amid strikes and rising jet fuel prices.
-
The government will pay R$ 1.20 for each liter of diesel that Brazil imports and for the first time in history requires distributors to reveal how much they profit — those who hide their margins will face fines of up to R$ 500 million…
-
With 250 meters and 55 floors, the Mohammed VI Tower becomes a new icon of Rabat, housing Waldorf Astoria and an observation deck, investing in solar energy, and already dividing UNESCO’s opinions on the historical landscape.
The Case Of Valderi Gonçalves: From Unemployed Bricklayer To In-Demand
Valderi Gonçalves, 48, is a living example of this phenomenon. After spending 30 years as a bricklayer, he arrived in Passo Fundo in 2023 from a different area of work and decided to return to the construction industry.
Unemployed, Valderi decided to promote himself in an unusual way: he put up posters at bus stops in the city asking for work. The response was quick and strong. Less than 48 hours after putting up the posters, he was already receiving job offers.
— I received offers to work by the day and even job offers from companies — said Valderi, who was surprised by the speed at which opportunities arose.
Valderi’s case is not isolated. In a city where 98 construction projects are underway simultaneously, the demand for labor is constant, and workers like Valderi are sought after by companies.
According to Cristiano Basso, president of Sinduscon Passo Fundo, “the demand for skilled professionals is so great that anyone with experience can guarantee a job in less than 24 hours. And for those starting out, there are also many opportunities with the possibility of training.”
Informality And The Growth Of MEIs: The Other Side Of The Coin
On the other hand, the Cadastro Geral de Empregados e Desempregados (Caged) indicates a paradoxical reality. Despite the heated market, Passo Fundo recorded the closure of 29 formal vacancies until July 2024, and in the previous year, there were 151 fewer job positions. How is this possible?
The explanation, according to industry experts, lies in the growth of informality and the increase in the number of Microentrepreneurs Individuais (MEIs).
According to Pablo Frediani Lima, co-owner of construction company MML, many professionals are opting to work as freelancers, especially in roles such as helpers and laborers.
“There is a large segment of laborers who prefer to work independently, with payment per square meter. This reflects the difficulty in finding qualified labor for formal jobs.”
Data from the Federal Revenue Service supports this analysis: of the 2,763 active CNPJs in Passo Fundo, almost 80% correspond to MEIs, who provide specialized services in construction. This is the case of Valderi, who, after putting up his posters, saw an opportunity to establish himself as an MEI, forming partnerships with local engineers and construction companies.
The Impact Of The Labor Crisis In The Construction Sector
The crisis of skilled labor is not exclusive to Passo Fundo. Recently, the CPG portal addressed the hidden crisis of the construction sector in Brazil, highlighting how the shortage of qualified workers threatens the future of projects in the country, despite record sales in the sector.
With a market that continues to grow, the lack of prepared professionals can become a significant bottleneck, jeopardizing project continuity and sustainable growth.
However, in cities like Passo Fundo, this crisis creates immediate opportunities for those with the right qualifications, turning the local landscape into a true “oasis of jobs” for construction workers.
The Future Of The Construction Industry: Opportunity Or Challenge?
The Brazilian construction industry is experiencing a contradictory moment. While it is breaking sales and expansion records, it faces a shortage of skilled labor that may limit growth and the execution of new projects. The situation in Passo Fundo, with its high demand and rapid hiring, illustrates both the opportunities and challenges that the sector is facing.
How will the construction industry in Brazil deal with this growing scarcity? Is informality and the growth of MEIs a viable solution or merely band-aids that mask deeper problems? And, for you, reader, do you believe that the construction industry will be able to overcome this skilled labor crisis, or are we just at the beginning of a problem that could compromise the future of the sector?
31996533795
Tem vaga de ajudante
Eles querem profissional capacitados mas as empresas não querem valorizar da o salário digno