Speakers
Danny Clarke
Dan Wilson
Ashley Smith
Workforce development
Session overview: The scaffolding sector is facing a workforce challenge that will not resolve itself. An ageing workforce, a shortage of new entrants and persistent difficulties retaining skilled people are converging at exactly the moment when demand for scaffolding is growing. This session brings together employers, workforce and training specialists, industry bodies and government representatives to address the crisis directly - and practically - and what it will take to change that. Covering everything from apprenticeships and youth engagement to adult recruitment, career changers, ex-offenders and veterans, the panel makes the case that solving the talent crisis requires a genuine blend of youth and experience, and the cultural and structural changes to support both.
Why this session matters: The scaffolding sector cannot afford to keep recruiting from the same shrinking pool. The organisations represented on this panel have already started doing things differently — and the results speak for themselves. Whether you are struggling to find new entrants, losing experienced workers faster than you can replace them, or simply not sure where to start, this session gives you concrete strategies to act on. The talent is out there. This session shows you where to look and how to build a workplace worth joining.
Dan Wilson is the Managing Director of Mar Scaffolding Ltd, an East Scotland-based scaffolding contractor delivering access solutions across a wide range of sectors, including local authority, commercial, and heritage projects. With a hands-on leadership style and a strong operational focus, Dan has built his reputation on delivering safe, efficient, and compliant scaffolding services while navigating the day-to-day realities of running a modern contracting business.
Dan plays an active role in workforce development within his company, tackling industry-wide challenges such as skills shortages, recruitment, and staff retention. He has implemented structured approaches to performance, attendance, and team productivity, while also investing in the development of younger workers entering the trade.
With experience managing both long-serving scaffolders and new entrants to the industry, Dan brings a practical, no-nonsense perspective on how businesses can successfully integrate experience with emerging talent. His approach is grounded in real-world challenges, focusing on accountability, consistency, and creating high-performing teams on site.
Donna Mulvihill is Head of Learning & Development at ALTRAD Services and is responsible for the development of talent, skills, and capability across a large, multi-disciplinary industrial services business. She plays a key role in supporting ALTRAD’s workforce strategy, ensuring the organisation continues to attract, develop, and retain the skills needed to deliver complex projects across Engineering and Construction sectors.
With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Donna brings extensive experience in organisational and leadership development. She has been strategically involved in shaping early-career pathways and upskilling initiatives to address evolving industry needs.