The situation of some traditional trades such as plumbers and bricklayers is complicated, since many do not find generational relief because young people ‘pass on’ these jobs or do not see them as attractive. That is why many migrants, especially from Latin America, are specializing in these sectors and it is increasingly easier to find a Latino working on construction sites or similar.
The YouTube channel “Latinos al Éxito”, directed by content creator Ray (@blogdray), has uploaded an interview that shows the most human side of construction work. Francisco Padilla, known as Pacoa construction manager with more than two decades in the sector, and Joel, a young worker specialized in the repair of facades from Latin America. Both share their daily lives between telescopic cranes and scaffolding, where the risk is high but the effort pays off.
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“This is a telescopic crane that goes up about 80 meters, and right now we are 40 meters high,” Paco explains naturally, while the interviewer shows the structure from which they are recording. The veteran bricklayer started early: “I’ve been there since I was 17,” he says proudly, although he quickly makes it clear that age is no longer measured in birthdays, but in years of experience. “I don’t care…” he responds with a resigned smile when asked how old he is.
Beside him, Joel nods and continues working. He is one of those who has “repaired the entire façade of the building”, a job that, according to Paco, “is that of a stucco artist, who repairs façades and makes new façades. And right now we are working full time, all year round.”
“There is work, what is missing is desire”
The conversation soon turns to job opportunities in the sector. Paco is clear: “We need people, but qualified people. Who have a profession: bricklayer, electrician, plumber…”. According to him, Spain needs a trained workforce, and Latin American workers with experience and degrees in construction have many possibilities.
“If you have faith in working and have the desire, having experience you have a very great possibility,” he says.
The interviewer insists on the topic of salary, and Paco does not avoid the answer.
“It would be about 1,300 euros what he would earn, yes, exactly,” he confirms. Added to that amount are “two double payments a year” and the possibility of “working on weekends” to increase income.
“It’s not the best salary, but it’s not that low either. If you work more and qualify, that’s perfect,” summarizes the channel’s creator, while Paco nods: “Here, anyone who has experience, it’s impossible for them to fire you. On the contrary, when you want to leave, they don’t want you to leave.”
“Here the worker is protected for everything”
This work has its risks and this is what the construction manager wanted to make clear: “Look at the height of this, we are talking about 40 meters. And I am protected by everything. Here in Spain you are protected by everything, everything, everything,” explains Paco, with his helmet on and the safety harness adjusted.
Behind that phrase hides a truth that many are unaware of: the construction sector in Spain is highly regulated, with mandatory training in occupational risk prevention. “First you have to take the courses, have an exam and then a practice. Then you have to work on the street,” he details.
“There is work for which you are not afraid”
The lack of labor in construction is a constant. Paco repeats it with some frustration: “There is work, what there is is very shameless. Nobody wants to do it.”
And he adds: “He who has the desire and is not afraid of work, prospers here. There are always possibilities.”
He himself has proven it in his career, working in large companies: “The largest ones I have been in have been state-owned: Ferrovial, Acciona, AguaHL…,” he lists. “But when you are old, what you want is to be calm, not so much to travel.”
“Hard work also brings success”
The video ends with a message that summarizes an entire philosophy: success is not always on the desk, but also on the scaffolding. As Paco says, “if you are good, have experience and desire to learn, there is always work.”
And Joel, who is still hanging 40 meters high, is the best example: he has gone from repairing facades to building his own future. Between dust, cement and sweat, these two bricklayers prove that hard work, when done with pride, also leads to success.