Construction industry: 437.000 trainees to be trained in 2025 despite a challenging economic climate

However, a 6% decrease in the use of apprenticeships by companies in the sector has been observed. It should also be noted that, despite the difficulties, very small and small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the construction industry have increased their training activities compared to previous years.

An increase in the number of trainees trained by 2025

In 2025, 437.519 trainees were trained, compared to 435.246 in 2024, representing a 1,2% increase in the total number of trainees. This slight increase is all the more noteworthy given the intensified economic pressures on businesses during the year. Looking more closely at the results for skills development, the increase is 3%, with 341.741 trainees trained in 2025 compared to 332.734 in 2024, driven primarily by training activity in the Construction sector. Activity remained stable in the Public Works sector and decreased in the Trade sector.

Training courses funded under the Skills Development Plan: breakdown by sector

• Construction: 304.876 trainees trained in 2025, 292.566 in 2024 (+4,2%),
• Building materials trade: 6.772 in 2025, 9.986 in 2024 (-32%),
• Public Works: 30.093 in 2025, 30.182 in 2024 (-0,3%).

Ecological transition: assessment tools increasingly used

The ecological transition is increasingly at the heart of the concerns of companies in the sector; the progressive awareness of the importance of the issue continues in fact with regard to the increase in the mobilization of diagnostic and support mechanisms for the ecological transition: 3.803 short diagnostics carried out (+5% compared to 2024), and 628 companies supported within the framework of EasyDiag Ecological Transition diagnostics (+8%).

Also noteworthy is the 2025 launch of the educational game, Défi Eco 2050, entirely developed by Constructys, which aims to unite all stakeholders in the sector in the service of sustainable construction. One hundred workshops were conducted in 2025, reaching over 700 employees.

On the other hand, in terms of training, 13.183 trainees, within 6.661 companies, benefited from training related to the environmental and energy transition in 2025, a figure down compared to 2024 (23.013, or -43%).

Very small and small businesses: the development of training activities is supported by an action plan.

After several years of decline in the number of trainees from very small businesses (TPEs), the Constructys board of directors decided to take action by implementing a comprehensive action plan called "Mission TPE Construction" at the end of 2024. The success of this plan is evident; it has removed obstacles and revitalized skills development for employees of very small businesses. In 2025, 117.736 trainees from very small businesses were trained, compared to 115.022 (+2%) in 2024. Among the initiatives implemented was a promotional campaign, which continued into 2025, to raise awareness of Constructys' support and funding mechanisms for very small businesses and their employees to develop their skills.

The overall trend is also positive for very small and small businesses with fewer than 50 employees, with 298.116 trainees trained in 2025, compared to 292.029 in 2024. This growth is the result of strong mobilization of the local network to support companies in their training initiatives.

A 6% decrease in apprenticeship contracts

Constructys financed 88.126 apprenticeship contracts in 2025, compared to 93.447 in 2024 (-6%), and 5.158 professional training contracts, compared to 6064 in 2024 (-15%), in a context unfavorable to recruitment in the sector. However, the initial decrease anticipated by the skills development fund (Opco) was -15%, reducing the annual target set by the 2023-2025 Objectives and Resources Agreement from 94.000 to 80.000.

The continued withdrawal of the professional training contract, meanwhile, is explained by an ever-increasing mobilization of apprenticeship which responds more directly to the needs of companies.

Funded apprenticeship contracts: breakdown by sector

• Building: 72.868 contracts in 2025, 77,006 in 2024 (-5%).
• Construction materials trade: 2361 in 2025, 2.735 in 2024 (-14%).
• Public Works: 12.897 in 2025, 13.706 in 2024 (-6%).

According to Christophe Possémé, President of Constructys: “In a demanding economic environment, construction companies have continued to invest in skills, confirming that training remains a strategic lever for adapting to the sector's changes. The 2025 results bear witness to this, particularly within the framework of the skills development plan. We have paid particular attention to the situation of very small businesses. This is the whole point of the jointly decided SME Construction Mission plan, designed to remove barriers to training and offer more transparent and practical support. Our ambition is to enable every company, regardless of its size, to prepare for the future by upskilling its employees.”

According to Frank Serra, Vice President of Constructys: “Behind these results, there are above all women and men developing their skills to adapt to the evolution of their professions. In a sector undergoing transformation, training is an essential lever for securing career paths. In 2025, despite economic pressures, construction workers continued their training efforts. Our responsibility is to guarantee everyone effective access to lifelong learning, in order to support the evolution of professions and strengthen the attractiveness of the sector.”

According to Sébastien Bouleau, CEO of Constructys: “The ecological transition is already transforming the practices and skills of the construction industry. To provide concrete support to companies and employees, Constructys has chosen educational innovation. With Défi Éco 2050, we have designed a fun and educational tool that allows users to collectively grasp environmental issues and take action. This game serves as an entry point to diagnosis, training, and support, with a clear objective: to make skills development a driving force for the ecological transition and the sustainable competitiveness of the sector.”

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.