In a bold move that could reshape the scaffolding industry, the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has published its much-anticipated ‘Training in the Scaffolding Industry: Report 2024.’
The comprehensive report sheds light on the current state of training in the sector, revealing both opportunities and urgent areas for improvement.
NASC, in partnership with the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS), has pledged to take immediate action and use the report’s findings to drive substantial reforms.
The survey, conducted earlier this year, provides an in-depth snapshot of the scaffolding industry as it stood in the first quarter of 2024. With 103 responses from 97 organisations, the report highlights significant challenges facing the sector, including nearly 2,000 job vacancies in critical scaffold roles, with Part 2 scaffolders being in the highest demand.
The findings underscore the urgent need for strategic interventions to address these workforce shortages and regional disparities in training accessibility.
One of the most striking revelations from the survey is the varying levels of satisfaction with training courses, with larger companies generally expressing higher contentment. However, a consistent theme among respondents was the call for enriched course content, particularly in leadership skills and mental health awareness.
Additionally, the need for more immediate and constructive feedback from training providers was a recurring concern, underscoring the demand for a more responsive and dynamic training environment.
“The membership has spoken, and NASC is listening.”
NASC’s Training and Education Committee is set to take these insights seriously, aiming to close the gaps identified in the training landscape. The organisation has expressed gratitude to the survey participants and is committed to translating these findings into actionable strategies to future-proof the scaffolding industry.
Clive Dickin, NASC Chief Executive, emphasised the report’s importance: “The membership has spoken, and NASC is listening. It is without question that improvements are required, and the CISRS board is fully supportive of this. The feedback from this survey is crucial for enhancing scaffolding training across the UK.”
For those interested in the detailed findings and proposed initiatives, the full report is available for review here.
