U.M.O.
Mobile Trades Unit
- Year
- 2025
- Name
- Unidad Móvil de Oficios
- Type
- Product & equipment
- Context
- Industrial Design, Cátedra Ferrero — FADU/UBA
- Team
- D. Tamaro / N. Faingold
- Materials
- GRP · Melamine · 40x40 profile · Galvanised sheet
- Status
- Concept
The mobile unit is conceived as an expanded toolbox: it protects and transports the training resources, and once unfolded it becomes a collective learning workshop.
Designed to be moved quickly, easily and independently. It carries the supplies and tools needed to run classes where every participant can take part.
The disappearance of skilled trades
There is demand for skilled work and nobody left to meet it. The generation that holds the trades together is retiring, and no new one is stepping in. Understanding why was the starting point of the project.
- 01Lack of incentives
- 02An ageing workforce
- 03Loss of social standing
- 04A throwaway culture
- 05Informal employment
- 06Little interest from younger generations
- 25%
- shortfall in skilled workers as of early 2025.Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INDEC), Argentina
- 46 to 55
- is the age bracket with the highest share of trade workers, which points to a wave of retirements with no new generation to cover the demand.BAE Negocios, 2024
- 49%
- of employers said the shortage of specialised trade talent has a high impact on their ability to meet customer needs.somospymes.com.ar, 2013
“There's a healthy job market, but nothing holds it together. Nobody is encouraging the trades.”
“At a moment when AI is casting doubt over employment, the trades stand out as a solid alternative.”
Components
Unfolded, the unit adds two outdoor work areas under the awning and keeps the interior as a covered workshop.
- 01Auxiliary lighting
- 02HydraulicsAwning system
- 03Trainee areaSet outside, it opens up a comfortable place to work
- 04Stools
- 05Underbody guard
- 06StairAccess to the interior
- 07Support legsWith levelling
A collective learning workshop
A class format where students can see the instructor directly, in close contact, so the working relationship is stronger.
Trades and occupations
More than 200 trades are part of our society. The unit adapts to these four groups.
Construction
- Carpenter
- Blacksmith
- Electrician
- Gas fitter
Machining
- Lathe operator
- Toolmaker
- Mechanic
- Electronics technician
Craft
- Leatherworker
- Tailor
- Shoemaker
- Jeweller
Services
- Hairdresser
- Photographer
- Barber
- Watchmaker
Storage built for teaching a trade
The storage areas are designed to organise and protect both the tools and the raw material needed to teach the trades inside the unit.
The user's point of view
- 4
- individual work areas
- 2 h
- per session
Setup sequence
- 01
Unfold the supports
The structures linking the legs to the unit rotate through 180°.
- 02
Fit the legs
Aligned and locked with a safety pin set across the direction of load.
- 03
Level the unit
Turning the jack-type mechanism brings the floor level.
- 04
Attach the stair
The stair gives access to the interior of the unit.
- 05
Open the awning
It shades the space and connects inside with outside.
- 06
Slide out the work benches
Benches shared per side, for a generous learning space.
Exploded view
GRP
- Roof
- Rear wall
- Right side wall
- Awning door
- Front wall, GRP and glass
- Floor
Melamine board
- Upper shelving
- Counter and drawer unit
- Lower shelving
40x40 profile
- Chassis
- Leg structure
Sheet metal
- Work benches, sheet-metal clad
- Lower support reinforcement, galvanised sheet
A trades fair
Several units sharing public space as a fair, offering parallel ways to learn a trade.
Conclusion
Need
It answers the lack of incentives to enter the trades, in a market with high demand.
Innovation
It applies technology to optimising space and making setup straightforward.
Ethics
Focused on opening a possible livelihood for people of any age.
