In a move set to reshape the future of scaffolding training, the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) has exclusively confirmed to ScaffMag the launch of a sweeping reform programme aimed at modernising its framework, expanding apprenticeship opportunities, and improving access for young people entering the sector.
Set to be announced today, the reforms follow an in-depth governance review and an independent industry perception survey, and mark the beginning of what CISRS Chair Wayne Connolly describes as a “progressive programme of change”.
“The scaffolding sector needs a training system that is robust, inclusive and capable of delivering the skilled workforce of tomorrow,” Mr Connolly told ScaffMag. “We are focused on building a modern, responsive training network that meets real-world needs while maintaining the high standards of safety and competence the sector demands.”
The changes will see the introduction of a new Quality Committee reporting directly to the CISRS Board. This body will be responsible for overseeing training standards, course content, and centre performance, and will include employer and educational representatives, chaired by an independent specialist.
According to CISRS, one of the key drivers for reform was the need to improve customer satisfaction levels across training centres, which were highlighted in recent survey data. Future Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will now incorporate satisfaction metrics for centres and individual trainers.
From 1 June 2025, a revised Centre Specification will also come into effect, designed to make it easier for providers to deliver flexible, high-quality learning. It includes a reduction in minimum height requirements for training areas — a move expected to boost training capacity in cities like London and in rural parts of the UK.
The changes will also encourage enclosed, all-weather learning environments, set clearer expectations for customer service, and — for the first time — mandate installing CCTV systems across all CISRS-approved centres to enhance safety, security, and training oversight.
In addition, CISRS is entering a new digital era. Training records will be digitised, and data collection across courses will be enhanced to track learner outcomes, including those who face challenges or fail, so that content can be better tailored and improved.
As part of the initial phase of change, an 18-month moratorium will be placed on the approval of new Open-Air Craft Centres across mainland UK, giving existing centres time to adapt to the new standards.
CISRS, which operates as a not-for-profit owned by the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC), believes the reforms will position the scheme at the forefront of vocational training nationally and internationally.
Clive Dickin, Group Chief Executive of NASC and CISRS, told ScaffMag:
NASC & CISRS CEO, Clive Dickin“The skills and talent shortage have been widely reported for many years within the scaffolding and access sector. The announcement today by the CISRS chair is the start of a sustained programme that will increase quality, accessibility, and capacity within the scaffolding and access education and training system. The UK sector has a negligible 16-17 education systems and an exceptionally low capacity for apprentice programmes given the current workforce requirements. With these changes, we are also planning further course content, digitisation, train the trainer programmes and changes to the overseas programme, which is becoming larger than the UK operation. We also must acknowledge that scaffolding is not just within the construction sector, the industrial, events, utilities, oil, gas and transport sectors to name but a few all must be served with a more rounded global proposition that aligns with the UK model.”
The organisation says more details and support for training providers will be announced in the months ahead as it begins implementing what it calls a “future-ready training system”.
NASC & CISRS has also confirmed it will be speaking at great length on the new reforms, on a well-known industry podcast that will be published in the near future.
Specialist scaffolding works are playing a crucial role in the restoration of Edinburgh’s historic Jenners department store, as the iconic A-listed building undergoes a major redevelopment.Brand Access Solutions is delivering a comprehensive programme of internal and external scaffold systems to support the transformation of the landmark Princes Street site, which GRAHAM Construction is leading.The former retail institution, first opened in 1895 and expanded several times throughout the 20th century, closed in 2020 after 125 years of trading.Work is now underway to sensitively restore its original architectural features, while creating a new mixed-use space incorporating a boutique hotel, restaurants, bars and retail areas across ten floors and 17,500 square metres.Brand’s temporary access structures, which began in July 2023 and is expected to continue through to June 2027, are designed in-house to meet the complex needs of the heritage project. The works include various scaffolding forms, such as gantries, propping, sheeting drop cantilevers, banner frames, birdcages and bespoke internal systems—some reaching as high as 36 metres with 18 lifts in place.A team of 25 scaffolders are currently deployed on site.Stuart Dougall, Regional Manager at Brand Access Solutions, said: “Working on an A-listed building in Scotland, which is of historical architectural importance is an absolute privilege and plays to our strengths. We have a long and envied reputation for heritage building work, including our recent NASC Project of the Year at New Register House, just around the corner from Jenners.”He added: “This is a superb project to be part of and credit goes to the Edinburgh operations team, headed up by Scott Tillbrook. We’ve already received high praise from the client and main contractor, and we hope further recognition will follow as the restoration progresses.”The redevelopment aims to breathe new life into one of Scotland’s most beloved buildings, blending its rich history with modern use, while preserving its ornate façade and interiors for future generations.
A West Midlands testing specialist has marked its fifth year in business by setting an ambitious £1 million sales target, as interest in its digital pull-testing tools increases across the scaffolding and access sector.Staht, based in Lye near Dudley, manufactures equipment for load testing anchor fixings, safety eye bolts, and lifting points — all commonly used in scaffolding and fall protection systems. The firm expects sales growth to accelerate in 2026, driven by rising safety standards and increased demand for digital reporting on construction sites.The company’s tools — particularly its flagship T60, which tests loads up to six tonnes — are now used in more than 15 countries, including Australia, the US, and Europe.Founder Rob Hirst, who previously worked for 3M, started the business during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.“We started in my kitchen with a basic idea for a better pull tester,” he told Scaffmag. “Five years on, we’re exporting globally, and our digital systems are being adopted across multiple sectors — including scaffolding.”Staht’s testing kits are designed to capture and log key inspection data, including GPS location, photos, and real-time results. All data is stored via the firm’s Staht® Connect mobile app, which is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.The technology aims to streamline compliance checks, particularly where detailed inspection records are required for site safety documentation or third-party verification.To meet increased demand, the company has recently expanded its operations at Hayes Lane Trading Estate in Lye, adding new warehouse and workshop space along with a training facility for clients.Staht has also received support from Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM), a government-funded service aimed at helping small businesses scale up. Through BGWM, the firm secured capital funding for a 3D printer, allowing it to bring product prototyping in-house.BGWM adviser Steve Dunn said Staht was an example of a small manufacturer responding to the construction sector’s evolving needs.“Rob and the team are designing and building equipment in the Black Country that’s being used around the world. It’s a good case of innovation meeting market demand — especially in areas like scaffolding where inspection regimes are tightening.”Staht currently employs six people and is continuing to develop new tools aimed at the access and safety market. Its most recent product, the T25, offers Bluetooth connectivity and a full-colour screen in a more compact format.
Stork, a recent acquisition by industrial services giant Altrad, has secured a significant five-year contract with Ithaca Energy UK Limited to deliver inspection services across the energy firm’s UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) operations.The agreement, which began on 1 March 2025, includes options for two further one-year extensions and will cover the inspection of topside pressure systems, structural components, tanks, heat exchangers and marine assets across a broad range of Ithaca’s offshore infrastructure.Describing the contract as a “landmark win”, Steve Hunt, Regional Director for Stork, said: “This is a landmark contract win for Stork, positioning us as a full integrity partner in the UKCS. We look forward to working closely with Ithaca Energy to add value to their operations.”The new agreement is expected to create around 25 additional jobs within Stork’s asset integrity team, reflecting growing demand for inspection and integrity services across the offshore energy sector.Paudie Somers, Altrad’s CEO for the UK, Ireland, Nordics and Poland, welcomed the announcement, adding: “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract from Ithaca Energy, wherein we will deliver our full range of inspection services, efficiently under one contract.”The deal reinforces Altrad’s growing presence in the North Sea energy market and follows a series of strategic moves to enhance its service offering through acquisitions and talent development.
Scaffmag can exclusively reveal that Lancashire-based AK Scaffolding Ltd has claimed the last coveted spot in ScaffChamp 2025, the international scaffolding championship set to take place next month.
The announcement marks a significant moment for the competition, as AK Scaffolding becomes the final team to join the elite global lineup competing in what is widely regarded as the world’s premier scaffold assembly showdown.
Sources close to the event organisers have confirmed that AK Scaffolding Ltd has officially accepted the invitation to represent the UK on the global stage. Their participation ensures Britain will once again have a presence in the high-pressure, time-critical event that tests speed, accuracy, and safety in scaffold erection and dismantling.
ScaffChamp, held in Vilnius, Lithuania, will feature teams from across Europe and beyond, all vying for top honours in front of an international audience. The competition is as much a celebration of craft and teamwork as it is a battle of skill and efficiency.
With the lineup now complete, anticipation for ScaffChamp 2025 has reached new heights.
More details, including team profiles and competition format, will follow soon.
A 62-year-old scaffolder has died after falling from a construction site in Hong Kong, prompting an investigation by authorities.
The scaffolder was working at a site in Fanling, a residential and industrial area in the northern New Territories near the border with mainland China, when the incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon.
According to officials, the man had been working on the fifth floor, installing a nylon safety net on the structure’s exterior, when he fell. Emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 3 pm after the man’s colleagues found him lying motionless on the ground.
Paramedics treated him at the scene and transported him to North District Hospital in Sheung Shui, where he was later pronounced dead.
Authorities confirmed that the scaffolder, who had more than three decades of industry experience, had been wearing a safety harness at the time of the incident. It remains unclear why the equipment failed to prevent the fatal fall.
Hong Kong’s Labour Department has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident and whether proper safety protocols were followed.
Managing Director of West Bromwich-based Star Scaffolding, Mark Chard, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Business Person of the Year award at the 2025 Express & Star Business Awards.The award recognises outstanding leadership and impact in the region’s business community. Mr Chard is being celebrated for his transformative leadership at Star Scaffolding, a firm now recognised as a trusted partner in the construction sector.Under his guidance, the West Bromwich-based company has achieved Tier 1 Construction status and gained leading industry accreditations, including membership in the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC), Veriforce CHAS, Constructionline Gold, and ISO 9001 certification.But it is Chard’s broader contribution that has garnered admiration. Known for his “simple, honest and safety-first approach,” he has not only steered Star to commercial success, but also fostered a culture of mentorship and community engagement.“He builds more than scaffolding,” a company spokesperson said. “He builds people, opportunity and pride in where we come from.”Mr Chard is known for championing apprenticeships, supporting young entrepreneurs, and advocating best practices across the scaffolding industry.The winners of this year’s Express & Star Business Awards will be announced at a ceremony held at the University of Wolverhampton at The Halls on Thursday 5 June.A full list of finalists can be viewedhere.
The Scaffolding Association has released the first in a new series of guidance documents, designed to elevate safety standards and reinforce professional practices throughout the scaffolding industry.
Focusing on scaffold inspections, the guidance sets out best practice procedures to ensure the safety, compliance, and structural integrity of scaffolding on sites nationwide. It comes as part of the Association’s broader mission to raise standards and promote safer working environments across the industry.
The new publication, which is free to access, is designed to be a practical tool for scaffolding professionals, offering clear and accessible advice to support internal safety initiatives such as toolbox talks, training schemes, and client engagement.
Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association, said the guidance was part of the organisation’s ongoing efforts to support its members and the wider sector.Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association“We are committed to supporting our members with clear, practical resources that help maintain safe working environments and uphold the highest levels of professionalism,” he said. “Scaffold inspections are fundamental to reducing risk and ensuring compliance, and we are proud to offer this guidance as part of our mission to promote best practice across the sector.”The Association is urging scaffolding companies to download and implement the new guidance as part of their health and safety protocols. It is hoped the resource will help businesses demonstrate their alignment with evolving industry standards and expectations.This release marks the beginning of a new programme of technical guidance materials to be published over the coming months. Each will focus on different aspects of scaffolding operations, aiming to encourage continuous improvement and knowledge sharing throughout the profession.Industry stakeholders can download the new scaffold inspection guidance from the Scaffolding Association’s website here: https://scaffolding-association.org/scaffold-industry-guidance-notes/
Scaffolding and industrial access solutions company Acrow has strengthened its position in the Australian market by acquiring two prominent businesses — Brand Australia and Above Scaffolding — in a move the firm says will significantly boost its Industrial Access division.The acquisitions, worth an upfront total of $23 million, mark a key step in Acrow’s growth strategy, bringing in a new portfolio of blue-chip clients, expanding services, and deepening its geographical reach across New South Wales, particularly in the Hunter Valley and Greater Sydney regions.Acrow CEO Steven Boland described the move as a “highly attractive” opportunity and a continuation of the company’s broader expansion plans.“These are two strong, complementary businesses that enhance our presence in the important NSW market,” said Mr Boland. “We are excited by the prospects they bring, including immediate earnings benefits and long-term growth potential.”
High-Profile Clients and Complex Projects
Brand Australia, previously owned by global industrial services giant BrandSafway, has a strong foothold in the power generation and resources sectors, with operations centred around the Hunter Valley and a small presence in Gladstone. Above Scaffolding, meanwhile, has built a reputation for engineering high-end access solutions for infrastructure, defence, and industrial clients.Above’s clients include Transport for NSW, Thales, and Sydney Water, with ongoing work on the Sydney Harbour Bridge expected to drive revenue growth over the next two years.“These are iconic projects and demonstrate the technical capability and reputation of Above Scaffolding,” said Mr Boland. “Together, these acquisitions are not only a strong cultural fit for Acrow, but they also present a range of integration and growth opportunities.”
Financial Impact and Outlook
The two new businesses are expected to bring in around $40 million in revenue and at least $6 million in profit by the 2026 financial year. Acrow says the acquisitions were made at a good value and will be paid for using its existing loan facility with Westpac. The company also said that some of its projects have been delayed, affecting its 2025 results. However, it remains confident about the future, with many promising projects in the pipeline.Both acquisitions are set to be completed and take effect from 1 May 2025.
About the Businesses
Brand Australia will be acquired through a share sale agreement, with Acrow securing all local assets and operations. A transitional services agreement will ensure a smooth integration, with continued access to the BrandSafway name during the transition.Above Scaffolding, established in 1995, brings with it a legacy of complex engineering and access expertise, leveraging systems such as Layher and Skyclimber. Its project portfolio includes the Sydney Opera House and the Barangaroo precinct.“This is a significant milestone for Acrow,” Mr Boland added. “We welcome the teams from Brand Australia and Above Scaffolding into the Acrow family as we move forward into an exciting new chapter of growth.”
The UK’s top accolades for the access and scaffolding industry — often dubbed the “Oscars of scaffolding” — are now open for entries, the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has confirmed.
The Scaffolding Excellence Awards 2025, a much-anticipated event in the industry calendar, recognises the best projects, products, services and individuals across the sector.
With nine categories this year, entries are being welcomed from companies and professionals who have demonstrated exceptional work in their field.
The categories for 2025 include:
Project of the Year (Small, Medium, Large, and Major)
Service of the Year
Product of the Year (sponsored by Stepup Scaffold UK)
Scaffold Design of the Year (sponsored by Worldwide Scaffold and Access)
Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by CISRS)
Lifetime Achievement Award
The deadline for submissions is 5 pm on 20 June 2025, with NASC stating that no extensions or exceptions will be granted. Entry details are available at nasc.org.uk/awards.
Returning to chair the judging panel for a second year is James MacFadden, CS&A Responsible Engineer at Sellafield. He praised the calibre of past entries and urged organisations to submit their standout work.
“For anyone in the scaffolding and access world, these are the awards that stand out,” said MacFadden. “They are recognised as a hallmark of quality and a seal of approval from your industry peers.”“It is always nice to get a pat on the back, but when you have to beat the very best in your industry to get it, then it comes with added meaning.”
Reflecting on last year’s competition, MacFadden added, “It’s uplifting to read about so much excellent work and so many brilliant people at all stages of their careers — but it also makes selecting the winners much harder.”
The 2025 judging panel is currently being finalised. Previous judges included leading industry figures such as Caroline Gumble, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Building, and Tim Balcon, Chief Executive of the CITB.
A spokesperson for NASC emphasised the significance of the awards: “These awards are always an important moment in the year for the scaffolding and access industry. They celebrate the hard work and commitment of thousands of people delivering hundreds of projects across the sector.”“But hard work alone isn’t enough. The judges are looking for inspirational thinking, innovation, and that extra ‘wow factor’.”
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He added: “This is a superb project to be part of and credit goes to the Edinburgh operations team, headed up by Scott Tillbrook. We’ve already received high praise from the client and main contractor, and we hope further recognition will follow as the restoration progresses.”
The redevelopment aims to breathe new life into one of Scotland’s most beloved buildings, blending its rich history with modern use, while preserving its ornate façade and interiors for future generations. 
He added: “This is a superb project to be part of and credit goes to the Edinburgh operations team, headed up by Scott Tillbrook. We’ve already received high praise from the client and main contractor, and we hope further recognition will follow as the restoration progresses.”
The redevelopment aims to breathe new life into one of Scotland’s most beloved buildings, blending its rich history with modern use, while preserving its ornate façade and interiors for future generations. 
The technology aims to streamline compliance checks, particularly where detailed inspection records are required for site safety documentation or third-party verification.
To meet increased demand, the company has recently expanded its operations at Hayes Lane Trading Estate in Lye, adding new warehouse and workshop space along with a training facility for clients.
Staht has also received support from Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM), a government-funded service aimed at helping small businesses scale up. Through BGWM, the firm secured capital funding for a 3D printer, allowing it to bring product prototyping in-house.
BGWM adviser Steve Dunn said Staht was an example of a small manufacturer responding to the construction sector’s evolving needs.
“Rob and the team are designing and building equipment in the Black Country that’s being used around the world. It’s a good case of innovation meeting market demand — especially in areas like scaffolding where inspection regimes are tightening.”
Staht currently employs six people and is continuing to develop new tools aimed at the access and safety market. Its most recent product, the T25, offers Bluetooth connectivity and a full-colour screen in a more compact format. 
