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News, Press Release

Published: December 18, 2025

As the Scaffolding Association, we welcome the Government’s recent announcements to expand skills and employment support – including new investment in construction training, fully funded apprenticeships for young people in SMEs, and wider access to short training programmes and work-experience pathways for those currently out of work. These measures are intended to bring thousands more people into the labour market and help address skills shortages across key sectors, including construction.

However, in the past, funding and support within construction have tended to focus on traditional trades such as bricklaying and carpentry. We hope these new initiatives will genuinely recognise and support specialist sectors like scaffolding and access, and acknowledge their importance in delivering the country’s infrastructure and housebuilding ambitions.

We also recognise that this could open up a new pool of potential entrants, including people currently receiving Universal Credit. But we must ensure that – particularly where working at height is concerned, which remains one of the biggest contributors to workplace fatalities – those entering our sector and other safety-critical occupations do so with the right attitude, capability, and willingness to learn. We cannot compromise on safety on site. As ever, the detail will matter.

Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association, added:
“These announcements are welcome, but they must translate into real support for specialist trades like scaffolding. If the Government wants to meet its infrastructure and housing goals, our sector must be properly recognised and resourced – and any new entrant pathway must put safety and high-quality training first.”

For more information:

Youth Guarantee: Almost a million young people to benefit from expanded support, new training, and work experience opportunities – GOV.UK

This includes:

• 350,000 new training or workplace opportunities in sectors including construction, health and social care, and hospitality for young people on Universal Credit.
• 55,000 young people also stand to gain from a government-backed guaranteed job, which will begin roll-out from Spring 2026 in areas with some of the highest need in Great Britain.
• The expansion of Youth Hubs to a total of over 360.
• Further support in jobcentres for 900,000 young people on Universal Credit and looking for work.
• £34 million investment to make it easier to identify young people who need support before they drop out of the system. This includes a new Risk of NEET indicator tool, giving local areas more accurate insights to target support where it’s needed most.
• Further investment in education attendance monitoring and targeted support for young people in state-funded alternative provision schools, helping them secure valuable work experience.
• The Government has committed to delivering a Jobs Guarantee for 18 to 21-year-olds who have been searching for work whilst in receipt of Universal Credit for 18 months. The initiative will provide 25 hours/week of fully subsidised six-month paid work to every eligible 18- to 21-year-old who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for 18 months. The young people will be paid at the relevant minimum wage and also receive fully funded wrap around support.

Growth and Skilly Levy announcement : 50,000 more young people to benefit from apprenticeships as Government unveils new skills reforms to get Britain working – GOV.UK

• Major £725 million investment to deliver more apprenticeships for young people and help match skills training with local job opportunities.
• Young people to benefit from increased access to training with full cost of apprenticeships at SME’s covered by Government.
• New wave of foundation apprenticeships in sectors such as retail and hospitality sectors to get young people into work.
• Backing thousands more apprenticeship starts for young people through a £140 million partnership with local leaders.
• 50,000 young people across the country will be better equipped for jobs of the future through a major investment to create more apprenticeships and training courses.