UK construction firms are facing a growing shortage of workers trained to operate safely at height, just as demand for these skills increases across the sector. Employers report that projects involving roofing, scaffolding, cladding and other elevated work are being constrained by a lack of suitably qualified personnel.
The skills gap is emerging against a backdrop of tighter safety expectations on site and a continued focus on reducing falls from height, one of the leading causes of serious injury in construction. Contractors say they are under pressure to evidence robust training and competence for anyone working on platforms, ladders, MEWPs or temporary access systems.
Industry bodies and training providers are urging companies to prioritise accredited height-safety courses and ongoing refresher programmes, rather than relying on informal, on-the-job instruction. They argue that structured training not only improves compliance but also helps firms retain staff and protect productivity on complex projects.
With major retrofit, maintenance and infrastructure programmes in the pipeline, the demand for height-competent workers is expected to rise further. Employers are being encouraged to build height-safety skills into their workforce planning now, to avoid project delays and to strengthen their overall health and safety performance.
