Noran De Witte thought it was interesting: “We learned several things. For example, we learned a new method of laying bricks, with glue instead of mortar.”
Student numbers are declining
There are about 13 workshops and demos. The school wants to keep up with current innovations in construction and technology. Luc Maddens, Technical Advisor Construction VTI: “Over the last ten years, construction education has declined by a good 60% in terms of student numbers. That is definitely a very big challenge for us and also for the construction sector to attract young workers, students, girls and boys into our study field. A Construction Day like today can help with this. We try to show that we are up to date with the latest technologies.”
Difficult to find staff
Construction companies also notice that it is difficult to find staff. Shenzy Velghe, Stadsbader: “It is difficult to find good staff, to find people who want to work long hours and travel. If they do an internship with us, they get to know the yards, the colleagues, the company. That is sometimes a little easier than stepping into the unknown.”
