On September 2024, EBC Secretary General Fernando Sigchos Jiménez visited Luxembourg to strengthen ties with the Fédération des Artisans (FDA), a long-standing and key member organisation.
The Fédération des Artisans, representing 8,500 companies and 102,500 employees, plays a crucial role in Luxembourg’s economy, particularly within the artisan and construction sectors. The small construction companies represented by the FDA are instrumental in job creation, value generation, and worker training, underscoring their importance in the nation’s economic fabric.
A visit to the Institut de Formation Sectoriel du Bâtiment (IFSB)
During the visit, Mr. Sigchos Jiménez was invited to tour the Institut de Formation Sectoriel du Bâtiment (IFSB), located in Bettembourg. Founded in 2002, the IFSB is a leading training centre for the construction industry, offering both trade-specific skills and essential knowledge in areas like workplace safety and health. Guided by Luxembourg’s construction employers, the centre’s educational mission aims to meet the sector’s evolving needs, particularly in sustainable construction and innovation.
Led by Director General Bruno Renders, the IFSB is a pivotal part of Luxembourg’s broader strategy for sustainable construction. As a part of the Centre de Développement et d’Innovation en Construction (CDEC), the IFSB is at the forefront of innovation, developing tools such as the “VR Tranchées” virtual reality training module. This cutting-edge tool immerses workers in virtual jobsite scenarios, helping them recognize safety risks in trench work—a particularly hazardous area within construction. The tool was awarded with the Prix Sécurité-Santé au Travail 2024 from the Luxembourgish government for its contribution to workplace safety.
A week of Innovation and Sustainability: collaborative discussions and broader European impact
Accompanying Mr. Sigchos Jiménez were key sectoral figures, including Roland Kuhn, President, and Christian Colas, Secretary General of the Fédération des Entreprises de Construction et de Génie Civil affiliated to FDA, and EBC Board member Patrick Koehnen. The discussions focused on fostering deeper collaboration between European and Luxembourgish construction industries, addressing emerging challenges, and promoting sustainable innovation in construction practices.
This visit to Luxembourg coincided with the Built4People Stakeholder Forum and Sustainable Places 2024, where the EBC contributed to lively discussions on the future of construction in Europe. The focus on innovation, sustainability, and collaborative efforts reflects a shared vision for a resilient and forward-thinking construction sector.
This visit underscored EBC’s commitment to foster collaboration with its member organisations and key stakeholders, to bridge the gap between the innovation and research community and small construction companies. By promoting a collaborative approach to drive sustainability and innovation across the European construction sector, EBC is focused on ensuring a more resilient and competitive industry.
 EBC Secretary General at the Institut de Formation Sectoriel du Bâtiment (IFSB) premises in Bettembourg, Luxembourg. | To learn more about the Institut de Formation Sectoriel du Bâtiment (IFSB) in Luxembourg, click here. |