NASC, the UK's leading trade body for scaffolding and access, has published its Skills Gap Report 2026, warning that the UK scaffolding and access sector faces a growing workforce shortage that could affect the delivery of construction, maintenance and infrastructure projects.

The report, based on responses from NASC full member companies, provides the first evidence-based snapshot of workforce capacity across the sector. It finds that 56% of firms currently have at least one vacancy, with an average of 4.4 open roles per organisation, equating to around 1,760 vacancies across the NASC membership alone.

Demand for labour is expected to increase further in the coming year, with 83% of member organisations expecting to recruit in 2026, with scaffolders accounting for the largest share of projected demand.

When extrapolated across the wider scaffolding and access sector, NASC estimates the industry could face around 40,000 vacancies, even before major new construction projects come fully online.

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Clive Dickin, Group CEO of NASC and CISRS, said: "Our members are already feeling the pressure. They expect almost 6,000 vacancies this year alone and when you factor in retirements and normal staff turnover across the wider sector that quickly rises to around 40,000 roles that will need to be filled.

"Training and education must remain the long-term solution. The industry is investing heavily in CISRS training, apprenticeships and professional development to ensure we maintain the highest standards of competence and safety.

"But training takes time. If the UK wants to deliver major infrastructure and construction projects, we also need short-term flexibility in migration policy so that experienced scaffolders from overseas can help bridge the gap while the domestic pipeline grows."

The report also highlights several structural challenges affecting workforce growth. Around 7% of the current workforce is expected to retire within four years, potentially removing more than 1,400 experienced workers from NASC member companies alone.

Recruitment pressures remain concentrated in operational roles such as scaffolders and advanced scaffolders, with companies reporting difficulties finding qualified staff, economic uncertainty, pay expectations and a lack of applicants as the main barriers to hiring.

NASC says the findings underline the need for coordinated action across industry, training providers and government to ensure the scaffolding workforce is in place to support the UK's construction ambitions.