NASC has appointed Rob Boardman as its new Head of Training and Education.
He will take up the role from Monday 8 June 2026, joining the trade body after nine years with 3B Training, a CISRS-recognised training centre.
Boardman most recently worked as Operations Director at 3B Training. NASC said his experience gives him a strong understanding of scaffolding training, training centre operations and the standards used to support workforce development across the sector.
The appointment comes at a busy time for scaffolding training, with continued industry focus on competence, skills shortages and the future structure of CISRS training routes.
NASC said Boardman’s role will support its work around training and education across the scaffolding and access industry.
Clive Dickin, Group CEO of NASC and CISRS, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rob to the team. He brings a wealth of relevant experience and expertise and joins us at an important time for training and education across the scaffolding and access industry. I look forward to working with him.”
The move also gives NASC a senior training appointment with direct experience from inside the CISRS training centre network.
Boardman’s background at 3B Training is likely to be relevant as the sector continues to discuss access to training, employer support and the skills needed to bring new entrants into scaffolding.
Rising fuel costs are continuing to hit scaffolding businesses across the UK, with many firms absorbing the increases rather than passing them on to clients, according to a new NASC industry survey.
The survey, carried out among NASC members and wider industry stakeholders, found that 49.2% of respondents had seen fuel costs rise by more than 20% so far this year.
A further 44% reported increases of between 11% and 20%, underlining the pressure on companies that depend heavily on vehicle fleets, site visits and material deliveries.
Respondents rated the impact of higher fuel costs on their businesses at an average of 7.2 out of 10.
Transport and vehicle costs were the main concern, cited by nearly 94% of respondents. More than half also said fuel prices were affecting profit margins and site visits, while delivery logistics and project pricing were also being hit.
Despite the scale of the increases, many firms said they had been unable to recover the added costs from clients. Some 57.1% said they had not passed on any of the increase, while just 1.6% said they had passed on the full cost.
Instead, companies said they were absorbing the pressure, planning delivery routes more carefully, cutting site visits where possible, and reviewing estimating and pricing.
The survey also found concern about further fuel rises, with businesses rating their level of concern at an average of 7.9 out of 10. More than 30% gave the highest possible rating.
Clive Dickin, Group CEO of NASC and CISRS, said the findings should concern the wider construction supply chain.
“Scaffolding businesses play a vital role in enabling construction, maintenance, refurbishment and infrastructure projects across the UK, yet many are being forced to absorb substantial increases in fuel costs at a time when margins are already under pressure,” he said.
“We are seeing a worrying number of insolvencies across the sector. Rising operating costs, combined with intense competition and limited ability to recover additional expenditure from clients, are creating real challenges for many businesses.
“The scaffolding and access sector is fundamental to the Government’s ambitions for economic growth, housing delivery and major infrastructure investment. If the UK is serious about meeting its building targets, it must recognise the pressures facing the businesses that make those projects possible.”
Mr Dickin said NASC wanted the Government to consider practical relief for construction and access firms, including fuel-related support, targeted tax measures or other support to help businesses remain resilient.
The findings add to wider concern about cost pressure across the scaffolding and access sector, particularly for firms with large fleets, labour-heavy site operations and contracts priced before recent cost rises took hold.
Scaffolders in Jersey can now access CISRS training locally after Scaffold Training Academy Ltd gained approval as an official CISRS Training Centre.
The centre is the first approved CISRS Training Centre in the Channel Islands.
It means scaffolders based in Jersey will no longer need to travel to the UK mainland for some nationally recognised training, including the CISRS Operative Training Scheme and Basic Scaffold Inspection course.
The approval follows nearly 2 years of work between Scaffold Training Academy Ltd, CISRS, NASC and the Government of Jersey.
The new centre has opened at a time when the Health and Safety Inspectorate in Jersey has made CISRS cards the accepted test of competency for scaffolders working on the islands.
Kelly Keating, Director of Scaffold Training Academy Ltd, said the approval was a major step for local scaffolders and employers.
“This has been a long time in the making and we are incredibly proud to have reached this point,” she said.
“Scaffolders in Jersey have always had to travel to the mainland to access nationally recognised training, and that has been a barrier for many.
“Having an approved CISRS centre here changes that. We are committed to raising the standard of scaffolding training across the Channel Islands and this is just the beginning.”
The centre launched its first courses in March and April 2026.
Two programmes are currently available.
The CISRS Operative Training Scheme, known as COTS, is the first step on the CISRS pathway. It must be completed before candidates can move on to further training, including Part 1, Part 2 or Advanced scaffolding qualifications.
The CISRS Basic Scaffold Inspection course is aimed at experienced scaffolders, supervisors and site managers who inspect basic scaffolding structures.
Funding support is also available for eligible candidates through Skills Jersey.
The approval gives the Channel Islands’ scaffolding and access sector a local route into structured training, while helping employers meet competency requirements without the extra cost and disruption of sending workers to the mainland.
CISRS and NASC said they were pleased to welcome Scaffold Training Academy Ltd into the network of approved training centres.
Researchers have demonstrated an autonomous drone system capable of placing bricks and applying adhesive in mid-air, in a development that could shape future approaches to construction work at height.
The system uses two unmanned aerial vehicles working together. One drone carries and positions bricks, while a second drone applies bonding material between them.
According to the paper, the system is designed to show how aerial robots could carry out coordinated masonry tasks without direct human control during the construction sequence.
The researchers said the work is, to the best of their knowledge, the first experimental demonstration of fully autonomous aerial masonry construction using different types of drones, with separate aircraft assigned to brick placement and adhesive application.
The brick-carrying drone was fitted with a ball-joint mechanism to improve placement control. It used onboard vision, ArUco markers and pose estimation to align the bricks during the build.
The second drone was fitted with a servo-controlled valve and extruder nozzle to apply adhesive material between the bricks.
The drones were coordinated through a reactive mission planning system, allowing the aircraft to manage task dependencies, respond to feedback and work as part of a single construction process.
The development adds to growing research interest in construction robotics, particularly in areas where drones could move beyond inspection, surveying and progress monitoring into physical site tasks.
However, the technology is not yet ready for use on live construction sites. The demonstration was carried out in a controlled research setting, and several major barriers remain before autonomous aerial masonry could be used commercially.
These include payload limits, battery life, wind conditions, flight stability, site safety, regulation, adhesive performance and the structural requirements of permanent masonry.
For the scaffolding and access sector, the research is unlikely to alter short-term demand for scaffold-based access or skilled masonry work.
Its more immediate relevance is in showing how autonomous systems may eventually support difficult or hazardous tasks at height, particularly in controlled environments where conventional access is complex or costly.
The paper suggests aerial robots could become part of a wider mix of construction technologies, working alongside traditional access methods rather than replacing them outright.
For now, the system remains a research milestone rather than a practical site solution. But it underlines the direction of travel as construction robotics becomes more capable, more specialised and more closely linked to work at height.
NASC has updated its TG30 system scaffolding guidance to include a new range of birdcage configurations for cup, wedge and rosette systems.
The update expands the TG30 eGuide to cover 5 birdcage setups, including several configurations that NASC says were not previously available through TG30 or manufacturer user manuals.
Until now, contractors using these layouts would usually have needed a bespoke design.
NASC said the change is intended to reduce the time and cost involved in planning compliant birdcage scaffolds, while giving contractors a recognised route for standard solutions.
TG30 is NASC’s guidance suite for the safe design, supply and compliance of system scaffolding. It includes an Operational Guide, a Design Guide and an eGuide for generating compliance sheets.
All 3 are available through the NASC ePortal.
The new release covers freestanding birdcages, birdcages tied or butted in 1 direction, birdcages decked at the top 2 lifts, fully decked birdcages, and birdcages decked at the top lift with perimeter decking at all other lifts.
The configurations are available across cup, wedge and rosette systems.
NASC said the Operational Guide has also been updated to support the new configurations, giving users practical guidance alongside the new compliance sheets.
Mark Collinson, Head of Technical at NASC, said: “This update will make a genuine difference to scaffolding contractors working with system scaffolding.
“Many of these birdcage configurations were not previously covered anywhere, which meant bespoke design was the only option.
“Having them available as TG30 compliant solutions removes that burden, saves time and cost, and ensures contractors can proceed with confidence that they are working to the recognised industry standard.”
The full TG30 guidance suite and compliance sheets are available through the NASC ePortal.
Everything is now in place for ScaffChamp 2026, the international scaffolding championship that returns to Vilnius, Lithuania, on 5–6 June.
Now in its seventh year since 2019, the contest brings together 20 teams from across Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas to compete on speed, accuracy and safety, all watched live by a global audience online. Reigning champions Lithuania’s RNDV will be back to defend the title.
Here is everything you need to know, from the line-up and the format to where the venue is and how to watch from home.
When and where is ScaffChamp 2026?
ScaffChamp powered by Layher 2026 takes place over two days, on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 June. The main competition and awards fall on the Saturday, with the build-up, registration and briefings on the Friday.
The event is held at the Baltic Scaffolders Association headquarters on Salinink? g. 82 in Vilnius, the same site that has hosted recent editions. It is co-organised by Layher Baltic and the Baltic Scaffolders Association, with support from Layher Germany.
What actually happens at ScaffChamp
ScaffChamp is a live skills competition rather than a trade exhibition. Teams are set the same scaffolding structure to erect against the clock, working to a supplied design and under close supervision, before the build is inspected and scored.
The competition runs on Layher’s Allround system, so every team works with identical equipment and the result comes down to planning, technique, communication and discipline under pressure.
The opening day typically covers team registration, an official welcome and a technical briefing in which competitors are walked through the design, the judging criteria and the safety requirements before they build.
How the competition is judged
The 2025 edition ran to a two-round format, with 10 teams competing in each round. Each team is timed during the erection phase, after which referees scrutinise the finished structure and apply penalties for any faults or safety breaches.
Speed alone does not win it. Teams are assessed on a combination of time, technical accuracy, teamwork and crucially safety, with design reading and clear communication often proving decisive. That balance is why a fast build can still be beaten by a slower, cleaner one.
Who is competing in 2026?
ScaffChamp confirmed its full 20-team line-up in February, after roughly five months of registrations. The 2026 field features a record number of new regions.
Australia and Peru will make their first appearances, while the United States returns to the competition. Europe sees the largest expansion, with new entries from Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Greece and Spain.
Returning European teams include Romania, Lithuania, Germany, Poland, Italy, the UK, Ireland, Sweden and Estonia, the last of which has not competed since the inaugural 2019 event. Asia is again represented by Mongolia, a returning side that has proved popular with spectators.
No African team will take part in 2026, although organisers said discussions had been held with teams from the region and that they hoped to see Africa represented in future. Layher Baltic’s Oleg Abramov said the selection process had been deliberately rigorous to keep the contest fair and professional. The individual company names behind each country had not been released at the time of writing.
The reigning champions
Lithuania’s RNDV go into 2026 as defending champions. At ScaffChamp 2025 the team took the overall title and the Health & Safety Award, a double honour earned through a disciplined, methodical build.
It was not a one-off effort assembled for the competition: RNDV’s championship squad is drawn entirely from its day-to-day operational staff, and the team had finished fourth on its debut in 2024 before refining its approach to design interpretation, time management and working under pressure.
What is at stake: the belt and the awards
The headline prize is the ScaffChamp championship belt, awarded to the overall winning team. Alongside it sit a small number of category awards, four main awards in the 2025 edition, including the Health & Safety Award, which recognises the cleanest and safest build rather than simply the fastest.
For competing companies, the appeal is as much reputational as it is the silverware. ScaffChamp has become a recognised benchmark for technical standards across different countries, and a strong showing is widely treated within the trade as a mark of professional credibility.
The venue
All of the action is concentrated at the Baltic Scaffolders Association HQ in Vilnius. Capacity is limited by the site and by crowd-safety requirements, and organisers warned that tickets could sell out, so anyone planning to attend in person is advised to book early. Tickets are sold online through Paysera, and discount codes are expected to be released through event partners in the run-up to the competition.
Vilnius: the host city
Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, is a compact and walkable city of around 600,000 people in the south-east of the country. Its medieval Old Town is one of the largest surviving in Northern Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its baroque churches, narrow cobbled streets and the hilltop Gediminas’ Tower overlooking the centre. The self-declared “republic” of Užupis, a bohemian quarter just across the river, is a popular detour for visitors.
For practical purposes, Lithuania is in the eurozone, so the currency is the euro, and card payment is accepted almost everywhere. English is widely spoken, particularly among younger people and in hospitality. Early June is one of the better times to visit: days are long and mild, with temperatures typically in the high teens to low twenties Celsius, though it is worth packing for the odd shower.
Getting there and getting around
For UK readers, the most straightforward route is a direct flight to Vilnius International Airport (VNO). Ryanair and Wizz Air both fly direct from London, principally from Luton and Stansted, with a flight time of around two hours and forty minutes.
Direct fares are often very cheap if booked early. From elsewhere in the UK, or if direct flights are sold out around the event, connecting options run through hubs such as Riga with airBaltic, Frankfurt or Munich with Lufthansa, and Warsaw with LOT.
Vilnius airport is unusually close to the city, only about four miles south of the centre, which makes transfers quick and cheap. A train links the airport to the central station in roughly eight minutes for under a euro, and there are also regular buses. Taxis and ride-hailing apps (Bolt is widely used in Lithuania) are readily available from outside arrivals and are inexpensive by UK standards.
The competition venue sits on the southern side of the city, on the same side as the airport, so it is easily reached by taxi or ride-hailing in a short hop. If you are staying in the Old Town, allow a little extra time on the Saturday morning, as competitors and spectators will be heading to the site ahead of the 10:30 broadcast start.
The stream covers the full event, including team presentations, commentator analysis, interviews, partner segments, the results and the awards ceremony. The live broadcast has become one of the few platforms where the wider trade can watch competitors work under pressure and compare standards across countries; the 2025 stream drew more than 10,000 viewers worldwide.
How ScaffChamp grew from a regional contest
ScaffChamp began in April 2019 as the First International Scaffolders Championship, with nine teams from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland. The planned 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, before the contest returned in 2022 with six teams and around 200 guests.
The event was rebranded as ScaffChamp in 2023, when it drew 15 teams and more than 400 guests, and it has continued to widen its international reach since. The 2025 edition brought together 20 teams from 17 regions, with competitors travelling from as far afield as Mongolia, Chile and the United States.
The full two-day agenda
All times are Baltic (EEST). Lithuania is two hours ahead of the UK in June, so for British Summer Time, subtract two hours — the Saturday broadcast start of 10:30 is 08:30 in London.
Friday 5 June — first day
11:00–11:45 — Registration and opening
12:00–12:10 — Official start, greetings and introduction to the event
12:10–14:00 — Activities and contests for participants and guests, run by partners
14:00–14:30 — Team presentations
14:30–14:35 — Dr Alan Osborn’s donation fund for men’s health
14:35–15:00 — Teams draw
15:00–15:30 — Participant briefing and introduction to the structure and tasks
15:30–16:30 — Free time and partner activities
Saturday 6 June — ScaffChamp day
09:30 — Team registration, equipment inspection and safety briefings
10:30 — Start of the broadcast
10:35–10:50 — Team parade and presentation
10:50–13:00 — First round of 10 teams
13:00–13:15 — Short break and partners’ section
13:15–15:25 — Second round of 10 teams
15:25–15:35 — Dr Alan Osborn’s fund section
15:35–16:00 — Results and awards
16:00–18:00 — Afterparty with DJ
ScaffMag will be following ScaffChamp 2026 throughout the weekend, with coverage of the results and reaction once the belt has been decided.
Layher has received the PLUS X AWARD’s Best Brand of the Year 2026 title in the scaffolding systems category.
The German scaffolding systems manufacturer, based in Güglingen-Eibensbach, was recognised by the award jury for its technical development, engineering and system-based approach to scaffold construction.
The jury said Layher had combined “engineering skills, innovative strength and system intelligence” while setting international standards for the industry.
The award adds to Layher’s long-standing position in the global scaffolding market, where its systems are widely used across construction, infrastructure, industrial maintenance and access projects.
Layher Managing Director Wolf Christian Behrbohm said the company was pleased to receive the recognition.
“We are delighted by this accolade,” he said. “It encourages us in our efforts to make scaffolding construction easier, faster and safer.
“Our focus is on the people who use our products in tough day-to-day work at construction sites. Our goal is to help them achieve more in terms of efficiency and safety, and make their working lives both easier and more profitable.”
Layher said the award reflects its focus on system intelligence, where new product development is designed to work with existing material stocks and remain usable as standards and regulations change.
Sales Director Andreas Beck said this was a core part of the company’s approach.
“With Layher innovations, our customers set the standards on the market, with maximum safety for their investments in material stocks,” he said.
“And that’s regardless of how often standards or regulations change. The benefits of the Integrated Layher System still remain.”
The PLUS X AWARD describes its Best Brand of the Year title as a recognition given to brands that achieve the highest number of approval seals in their product group during the year.
For Layher, the award will support its wider brand message of “More Performance. More Possibilities. More Value. With Layher.”
Advanced scaffolder and ultra-endurance runner Conor O’Brien is preparing to run 84km overnight across Bali to raise money for children’s education.
O’Brien is taking part in the 2026 Bali Hope Ultra, an overnight coast-to-coast event supporting the Bali Children Foundation.
Funds raised through the event will support education work in North Bali, starting with the renovation and revitalisation of SDN 5 Gobleg Elementary School.
The wider project will also support local kindergartens, schools across Gobleg and tertiary scholarships for young people.
O’Brien, who works in scaffolding project management and is an advanced scaffolder, has described the event as a personal goal with a wider purpose. He said he was running “to help transform education in North Bali” and called on supporters to help create lasting change for children in the area.
Posting ahead of the race, he said the route would cover 84km “coast to coast through the night” in hot conditions and high humidity.
O’Brien has been building up to the event with a heavy training block. Earlier this year, he said he had completed 100 consecutive days of outdoor running, covering 730km.
He said the race “means a lot” to him after taking part in the 2024 event, when runners raised funds for communities in North Bali.
The Bali Children Foundation says the 2026 fundraising campaign will help improve school facilities in Gobleg and extend education support across North Bali.
O’Brien has encouraged people across the scaffolding and access sector to support the fundraiser. You can donate here.
He said: “Every donation, no matter the amount, can make a real difference.”
Connolly Scaffolding is organising a charity football tournament in memory of Wayne Connolly, its Managing Director and former NASC President, who died suddenly shortly before Christmas last year.
The event, named The Connolly Cup, will take place on 18 July 2026 and will raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
According to the fundraising page, Connolly Scaffolding is entering a number of teams and is inviting clients and suppliers to take part. The company said the tournament will bring people together to play football, celebrate Wayne’s life and raise money for the charity.
Wayne was described by the company as its Managing Director, mentor and friend.
“Wayne was a big believer in giving back, and raising money for charity was one way he was able to do that,” Connolly Scaffolding said on its JustGiving page.
The MND Association supports people affected by motor neurone disease in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It also funds research and campaigns for better care.
Donations made through the JustGiving page will go directly to the MND Association.
At the time of writing, the page had received its first donation, with £100 raised online plus Gift Aid. The page is listed as being in memory of Wayne Connolly.
The government is set to introduce a new Bill today that could bring major changes to payment practices across construction, including a proposed ban on retentions under construction contracts.
The Small Business Protections Bill, introduced to Parliament today, is intended to tackle late payment and give small businesses stronger protection when dealing with larger firms.
For scaffolding and access contractors, the most significant part of the Bill is the proposed action on retentions.
Retentions have long been a source of frustration for subcontractors across construction, with money often withheld for long periods after work has been completed. For smaller firms, this can place pressure on cash flow, wages, supplier payments and day-to-day operations.
The Bill also proposes a 60-day cap on payment terms for large firms paying smaller suppliers.
Late payment interest would become mandatory, set at 8% above the Bank of England base rate.
The government said the reforms would give the Small Business Commissioner stronger powers to investigate poor payment practices, adjudicate disputes and fine persistent late payers. Ministers said potential penalties for repeat offenders could be worth tens of millions of pounds.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said small businesses were being forced to spend too much time chasing money they were already owed.
“Too many small business owners are spending hours chasing money they are owed and when payments don’t come through, the cost is personal,” he said.
“It’s about whether you can pay your staff, keep the lights on, or invest in your future.”
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said late payments cost the UK economy £11bn each year and were putting firms at risk.
“Through this landmark Bill we are delivering the toughest payment reforms in over a generation, to give the UK the strongest legal framework in the G7, and back small businesses with the certainty they need to grow and thrive,” he said.
The government said late payments are responsible for 38 business closures every day.
The Bill builds on the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998 and follows pressure from small business groups for tougher rules on poor payment behaviour.
The Federation of Small Businesses said the reforms were a significant step for small firms.
FSB Policy Chair Tina McKenzie said: “Tackling late payment is one of the biggest things the government can do to help small businesses grow.”
She said giving audit committees a clear role in payment practices would help change late payment culture.
Under the proposals, boards or audit committees of persistently late-paying large companies would also have to publish explanations of poor payment performance and set out what they are doing to improve it.
The construction industry has faced repeated calls for reform over retentions, with specialist contractors often arguing that withheld money damages smaller businesses and shifts risk down the supply chain.
The Bill will now pass through Parliament, where further detail will be needed on how the proposed retention ban would work, when it would apply, and whether any exemptions would be included.
