The UK scaffolding and access sector is facing a shortage of 40,000 skilled workers, according to a new report published by the NASC, the UK's leading trade body for scaffolding and access.
The NASC Skills Gap Report 2026 is based on responses from full NASC member companies and provides the first detailed snapshot of workforce capacity across the sector. It found that 56% of firms currently have at least one vacancy, with an average of 4.4 open roles per organisation. Across NASC members alone, this equates to around 1,760 vacancies.
Demand for workers is expected to grow further in 2026. Around 83% of NASC member organisations say they plan to recruit this year, with scaffolders making up the largest share of expected hires. When projected across the wider scaffolding and access sector, NASC estimates that the industry could face around 40,000 vacancies once retirements and normal staff turnover are taken into account.
Clive Dickin, Group CEO of NASC and CISRS, said members are already feeling the pressure.
“Our members expect almost 6,000 vacancies this year alone and when you factor in retirements and normal staff turnover, then across the whole sector including non-member firms that means an equivalent of around 40,000 roles that will need to be filled,” he said.
Dickin said training and education remain the long-term solution, highlighting continued investment in CISRS training, apprenticeships and professional development to maintain high standards of competence and safety.
However, he warned that training new entrants takes time and said the sector may also require short-term support through migration policy so experienced scaffolders from overseas can help meet demand while the domestic workforce pipeline grows.
The report also points to structural challenges affecting workforce growth. Around 7% of the current workforce is expected to retire within the next four years, potentially removing more than 1,400 experienced workers just from NASC member companies. Firms also reported difficulties recruiting qualified staff, citing economic uncertainty, pay expectations and a lack of applicants as key barriers.
NASC says the findings highlight the need for coordinated action between industry, training providers and government to ensure the scaffolding workforce is ready to support the UK’s future construction and infrastructure projects.
The full NASC Skills Gap Report 2026 is available to download now.
