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Scaff industry urges government to add scaffolders to shortage list

Posted: Thursday, January 30th, 2025

The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) and the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) have urged the UK government to address a severe scaffolding skills shortage by adding scaffolders to the country’s shortage occupation list.

They argue that this move is essential to ensuring the government’s housing, infrastructure, and energy goals succeed, Scaff Mag reported.

The two organisations have written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and Migration Advisory Committee Chair Brian Bell requesting changes to immigration rules to facilitate the recruitment of scaffolders from overseas.

In a letter to the Chancellor, NASC chief executive Clive Dickin warned that the shortage of skilled scaffolders threatens progress on critical projects tied to the government’s economic and environmental strategy.

The NASC and CISRS emphasised their commitment to investing in training and upskilling domestic talent through initiatives such as their Talent Portal, Bootcamp funding, and changes to the CISRS training scheme.

However, they stressed that these measures will take time to address the shortfall.

Dickin explained: “Until and unless we sort out the challenge of the severe shortage of skilled scaffolders in the UK, the government’s mission for growth is unlikely to succeed.

“The real boost for the UK economy that could come from the plans to build more homes and invest in more infrastructure, for example, won’t be realised without more scaffolders.

Currently, roles such as bricklayers, carpenters, plasterers, and roofers are already on the shortage occupation list, which has been renamed the immigration salary list. 

This designation simplifies the process of hiring overseas workers for industries facing significant workforce challenges.

In a letter to Brian Bell, the two organisations called for scaffolding and access roles—particularly those requiring Level 2 and below qualifications—to be included in the list for five years.

They also highlighted skilled scaffolders' critical role in advancing national priorities, including infrastructure expansion and achieving net-zero targets.

NASC estimates there are currently over 1,200 unfilled scaffolding roles nationwide, with sector growth of 18% anticipated among its members.

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