A sustainable housing training centre on the Arlon campus

Forem, IDELUX and ULiège have just completed the construction of a sustainable housing technology platform in Arlon to meet the needs of the wood and construction sectors. In addition to the training centre, the new facilities include a business centre, a relay hall and a micro-business park, with the aim of developing synergies between businesses, the academic sector and vocational training courses.

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here are currently more than 2,600 vacancies in the Walloon construction sector on the Forem website and app. By 2030, Forem estimates that 30,000 new workers will be needed to meet Wallonia's energy renovation targets and respond to new trends in the sector. While Wallonia is moving in the direction of sustainable housing, lightweight construction and modular homes, these new construction methods require new skills and qualifications.

To meet the sector's labour needs, Forem can count on its 17 construction-related training centres. In the province of Luxembourg, job seekers can train at the FOREM Wallonie Bois skills centre. In 2023, this centre provided more than 105,000 hours of training and trained 1,600 people

A sustainable housing technology platform

In order to provide training in new trends in sustainable housing, lightweight construction and modular houses, the Walloon government, through the intermediary of the Minister of IFAPME and the skills centres, wanted Wallonia to set up a sustainable housing technology platform. Also supported by European funds, this new structure will benefit from cutting-edge equipment and will therefore enable training in 8 professions in the sector, some of which are new or are set to evolve significantly. In particular in the fields of:

• Design and prefabrication in the wood industry (modular houses/light housing);
• Construction/deconstruction in connection with the circular economy in the wood industry;
• Joinery, interior fittings, roofing, etc.

Today, the industrialisation and prefabrication of timber constructions using digital technology and robotics are already in high demand among companies. Of the more than 2,600 vacancies in the sector, 863 are in these 8 areas. By the end of the year, Forem aims to train almost 250 people (job seekers, workers and students) in these trades. 

New spaces for entrepreneurs

Alongside the Forem Wallonie Bois skills centre, IDELUX offers facilities tailored to the diverse needs of businesses ranging from spin-offs to established companies active in the fields of sustainable housing, eco-construction, environmental sciences or the energy performance of buildings. These facilities offer spaces specifically designed for each stage of growth. The 200 m² business centre is an ideal solution for start-ups, university spin-offs and expanding businesses, enabling them to launch or test their activities without the need for major investment. For more established companies looking to grow, IDELUX provides a 250 m² relay hall and fully equipped plots.

ULiège, via a Continuing Education Certificate in Energy and Environmental Performance of Buildings, will be offering professional training courses accessible to between 12 and 20 participants per session. At the same time, targeted university training courses, particularly in the digital simulation of buildings, will be organised at the platform, which can accommodate around twenty participants per annual session or organised on request.