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Press Release

Published: April 4, 2022

The Scaffolding Association has met with Lee Rowley MP, Minister for Industry at the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy. 

Rowley has been responsible for the construction industry since his appointment in September of last year. He is also the co-chair the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).

The scaffolding and access sector has a growing labour and skills shortage, and the Association used the opportunity to raise members views as to the causes and possible solutions.

A week prior to meeting with the minister, the Association had canvassed industry opinion, during a round of virtual member briefings that are held on a quarterly basis.

Labour and skills shortages are widespread throughout the construction sector which estimates over 200,000 new workers will be required in the next 5 years to meet demand.

The scaffolding and access sector is particularly hard hit with the geographical coverage of available training exacerbating the problem.

Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association, commented; “Government can support with resolving labour and skills shortages. However, industry and others have a part to play too. We are grateful to the minster for listening to our concerns and for showing interest in helping to find solutions. We look forward to working more closely with the minister and officials from across government on this and many other issues of importance to our members”.

The Association has some exciting initiatives planned to help bolster efforts to ease labour and skills shortages in the sector which are due to be announced in the coming weeks.