On 17 and 18 October 2024, Tirana hosted the 9th Annual Seminar of the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA), organised in collaboration with the European Training Foundation (ETF) and the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation of Albania.

Within this framework, Beatriz Oliete, Head of International Projects at Fundación Laboral de la Construcción, presented the Women Can Build LatAm project. This initiative, operating in Spain, Italy, Argentina, and Chile, aims to promote the inclusion of women in the construction sector through tailored vocational training programmes and the creation of more equitable working environments.

During her speech, Oliete stressed the need to redesign curricula from a gender perspective and to raise awareness within the business sector about the importance of integrating more women into construction. She also shared experiences and results from participating countries, highlighting the positive impact of gender diversity on the industry’s productivity and sustainability.

The seminar brought together more than 80 participants, including government representatives, businesses, social partners, chambers of commerce, vocational education and training providers, regional authorities, and young people from EU Member States and ETF partner countries. The event provided a platform for exchanging experiences and best practices in the development and delivery of apprenticeship programmes, with a special focus on apprentice assessment and adult training.

The participation of Women Can Build LatAm in this seminar reinforces its commitment to promoting gender equality in the construction sector and highlights the importance of international collaboration in addressing challenges in vocational training and employment.