NASC has warned the UK scaffolding and access sector could need around 40,000 roles filled, as it published its Skills Gap Report 2026 based on responses from full member companies.
The trade body said the report provides an evidence-based snapshot of workforce capacity across the sector. It found 56% of firms currently have at least one vacancy, with an average of 4.4 open roles per organisation. NASC said that equates to around 1,760 vacancies across its membership.
Recruitment demand is expected to rise further in 2026. NASC said 83% of member organisations expect to recruit during the year, with scaffolders representing the largest share of projected demand.
When the findings are extrapolated across the wider scaffolding and access sector, NASC estimates the industry could need around 40,000 roles filled, even before major new construction projects come fully online.
Clive Dickin, Group CEO of NASC and CISRS, said members were “already feeling the pressure”, adding that the industry was investing heavily in CISRS training, apprenticeships and professional development.
“But training takes time,” he said. “If the UK wants to deliver major infrastructure and construction projects, we also need short-term flexibility in migration policy so that experienced scaffolders from overseas can help bridge the gap while the domestic pipeline grows.”
The report also points to structural pressures on workforce growth. Around 7% of the current workforce is expected to retire within four years, which NASC said could remove more than 1,400 experienced workers from member companies alone.
Firms reported the greatest recruitment challenges in operational roles, including scaffolders and advanced scaffolders. Barriers included a lack of applicants, pay expectations and wider economic uncertainty.
NASC said the findings underline the need for coordinated action across industry, training providers and government to ensure workforce capacity keeps pace with the UK’s construction ambitions.
