A shortage of scaffolders threatens to derail the Government’s 1.5m new homes target (Image: Getty)
The Government has been warned its goal for is threatened by a shortage of scaffolders.
Ministers have further been warned against compromising building and safety standards in the push to meet
Clive Dickin, chief executive of the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) trade body, told the Express scaffolders face “significant” challenges in helping meet the target.
He said: “We have 1200 vacancies currently. Adding extra demand into that is naturally going to be a challenge, but we will step up.
“However, it will be a challenge to hit targets, not just within scaffolding and access, but I would suggest in broader sectors. It’s something that causes concern.”
Mr Dickin said a “just get it built” approach won’t work.
He added a properly trained workforce and health and safety must be seen as paramount concerns.
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Angela Rayner has announced a £350m boost to her housebuilding plan (Image: Getty)
The warning came as Housing Secretary announced a £350million boost to get Britain building, with plans for extra council and social housing.
Mr Dickin welcomed cuts to red tape around apprenticeships, but warned the industry may not see the rewards of those changes for another three years due to the time it takes to train scaffolders.
He also urged the Home Office to take a “pragmatic” approach to immigration and called on the department to adapt its shortage occupation list to allow immediate relief for employers struggling to find qualified scaffolders.
Increased funding for further education colleges to create space for scaffolding courses would also help as well as government initiatives to help people upskill.
Mr Dickin said: “One point five million homes can be built – the quality is the factor you’ve got to consider.
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Bailey Kemp, 23, left a job in retail for a career in scaffolding (Image: Tim Merry/Daily Express)
“I am concerned we are going to see an erosion of the quality to deliver on a target. With scaffolding and access, an erosion of quality equals a risk increase to life. That is a serious step that concerns us.”
Lee Rowswell, group director of GKR Scaffolding, warned the Government’s hike in employers’ National Insurance Contributions would add another £250,000 per year to his family-run firm’s wage bill.
He said it would take at least two years to recover the costs but the company is determined to keep recruiting and offering apprenticeships.
GKR employs 400 and has a turnover of £42m. The company has worked on the Shard, ‘s new stadium and Battersea Power Station’s redevelopment.
Mr Rowswell said: “We’ve had challenges for the last five years from onwards, but every business has to keep attracting employees and apprentices to secure the future of the sector.”
For GKR this has included increasing its starting salaries and offering staff time with a health professional.
Apprentices can earn up to £24,000 while a typical salary for a skilled scaffolder is closer to £50,000. In certain situations, scaffolders can earn as much as £100,000, according to NASC.
Bailey Kemp, 23, went from stacking shelves to a scaffolding apprenticeship. He said: “It’s very rewarding. I’m going to a job where I don’t feel stressed out everyday, which I was.”
Mr Dickin said: “It’s a very competitive market. We as a sector have to compete with hairdressing, mechanics, Uber driving. We would encourage more people to look at scaffolding as a great career.
“We need to see the level of employment grow. There’s a huge opportunity for people in this sector.”
A Ministry of Housing spokesperson said: “This Government will deliver 1.5 million high quality homes as part of our Plan for Change and we will not compromise on safety.
“We are clear that all new homes must be built to the highest standard and we are taking a range of steps to invest in the construction industry and build up essential skills so we can deliver the homes this country badly needs.”