Azores construction faces labour shortages and uncertainty after recovery funding

Construction firms in the Azores are struggling to find enough workers to carry out planned projects, according to the industry association. The shortage affects the archipelago, with particular difficulties on islands other than São Miguel.

Limited staffing restricts firms’ ability to take on work and meet project schedules. With building activity spread across several islands, the availability of crews is a significant concern for companies with projects under way.

The association is also concerned about what happens when investment funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) comes to an end. Despite today’s labour shortage, it fears that a subsequent fall in the volume of work could result in job losses.

The industry therefore faces two related challenges: securing workers for current projects and maintaining enough activity to support employment after the PRR investment cycle. How that balance develops matters to construction companies, their employees and the projects that depend on their capacity across the Azores.