The scaffolding industry is facing a significant shortfall in workers, according to Emma Claassen, founder of the Women in Scaffolding Association (WiSA). Claassen states that scaffolding demands physical resilience, skill, judgment, and proper training.
Claassen suggests that the focus for addressing the skills shortage should be on attracting individuals willing and able to learn the trade and meet high standards, rather than on traditional recruitment demographics. This includes encouraging women to consider scaffolding as a career.
WiSA supports women already working in scaffolding, aiming to increase their visibility and connectivity, and to demonstrate to women and girls that it is a skilled profession. The association also works to bring more people into the construction sector generally. Claassen emphasises that standards should remain high, as scaffolding requires strength, technique, teamwork, training, and considerable skill.
The industry's need for skilled workers is highlighted by the fact that scaffolding is practical work that cannot be automated by AI, meaning Britain will continue to require people who can build, solve problems, and work safely with their hands.