Engaging with your local schools and colleges

September 16, 2022

Up to date and relevant careers information needs to be made accessible to young people so that they are aware of the diverse and well paid careers and opportunities that are available to them within the scaffolding sector. By engaging with your local schools and colleges you can raise the profile of the industry as a valid career choice while encouraging young people to work for your business. 


A high number of even brief contacts with a business can play an important role in helping young people to explore, clarify and confirm their career choices. You can create opportunities to talk to students about roles in depth and let them know what it is really like to work in your industry through your local schools and colleges, by:

  • Taking part in careers fairs and careers days
  • Offering to deliver careers talks and raise awareness of the opportunities available to young people
  • Erect scaffolding or arrange to undertake demonstrations
  • Inviting students to visit your offices or sites to see first hand what goes on 
  • Offering work taster days to provide an insight into the different careers on offer


Undertaking activities like this will help provide local young people with access to new and trustworthy information, along with useful contacts to help them pursue their career in the scaffolding sector!


So what are the benefits of undertaking engaging with schools and colleges to your business…


A better match between your business needs and the young people interested in a career in scaffolding means increased recruitment, raised productivity, improved retention, and reduced training and supervision costs!


You can involve willing employees in the mentoring and supervision of work placements or school presentations to improve staff morale and encourage their own development and learning! It is really rewarding for staff to be involved in the development of young people and helps improve their confidence and management skills.


Raising the profile of your business within local schools and colleges demonstrates that the business is socially responsible amongst your local community. By engaging with young people from a range of different backgrounds who may not have considered a job in their sector before provides you with a chance to give something back!


You can help change the demographics of the workforce to reflect your local community. This can involve anything from encouraging more girls to think about engineering to encouraging more young people from ethnic minorities to consider careers in scaffolding. It’s beneficial for your business’s staff profile to mirror that of your local community and customer base.


Business engagement in your local community is often viewed favourably by potential clients, and engaging with work experience helps you build stronger relationships with your suppliers, customers and clients, and could open up new business opportunities.

May 29, 2025
The Scaffolding Association is excited to confirm that National Scaffolding Week 2025 will take place from Monday 6 October to Friday 10 October 2025 . Now firmly established in the scaffold industry calendar, National Scaffolding Week is a bold and positive campaign that champions the people, progress, and professionalism of scaffolding in the UK. Launched to raise awareness and improve understanding of the industry’s value, the campaign has grown significantly over the last few years. Since its inception, the campaign has reached thousands of people inside and outside the industry, sparked conversations with government, inspired young people to consider scaffolding as a career, and created new opportunities for engagement between scaffolders, educators, clients, and the wider public. A central feature of the campaign has been the celebration of #ScaffStars – individuals from all walks of scaffolding life who go above and beyond. From scaffolders on-site to office-based professionals, apprentices to directors, each ScaffStar story has helped to highlight the skills, commitment and pride that define the scaffold community. But more than that, National Scaffolding Week has become a rallying point for the industry as a whole. It’s a unique opportunity for businesses, individuals, suppliers, manufacturers, training providers, and supporters to come together around a shared purpose: to celebrate achievements, tackle common challenges, and shape the future of scaffolding together. Whether through events, online content, partnerships or local initiatives, the campaign encourages connection and collaboration across all corners of the industry. Over the last few years, the campaign has seen exceptional support from scaffolding companies, educators, media and partner organisations – all helping to ensure that the industry’s contributions to the built environment are seen, understood, and valued. This year’s campaign will continue to focus on inspiring the next generation, amplifying authentic industry voices, and most importantly, bringing the scaffold community together as one. Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association, said: “National Scaffolding Week is more than a celebration – it’s a platform for pride, progress and unity. Every year, we see companies of all sizes coming together to showcase what scaffolding is really about – professionalism, innovation, and community. In 2025, we want even more people to join us in raising the profile of this incredible industry.” The Scaffolding Association is calling on businesses, individuals, training providers, suppliers, and supporters to get involved and help shape the campaign. The Association will be unveiling this year’s campaign theme, new partnerships, and engagement opportunities over the coming weeks. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to start planning how they’ll get involved. Whether big or small, your voice matters – and your support helps us reach new audiences, shape perceptions, and build a stronger, more connected future for scaffolding. To stay updated and get involved, visit nationalscaffoldingweek.org to download the social toolkit or follow the campaign on social media. Help Us Raise the Profile of National Scaffolding Week 2025 We’ve created a set of downloadable promotional materials to help you show your support for National Scaffolding Week 2025 – including email footers, a website banner, and a range of social media images. We’d really appreciate you using them wherever you can – whether that’s adding the banner to your homepage, using the images on your LinkedIn or Instagram, or including the email footer in your day-to-day correspondence. Every post, tag, and share helps us raise awareness and amplify the voice of the scaffold industry. Your support makes a real difference. www.nationalscaffoldingweek.com
May 14, 2025
National Scaffolding Week is proud to support Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 , taking place from 12–18 May , led by the Mental Health Foundation — the UK’s leading charity for mental health. This year’s theme, “ Community ”, highlights something we know well in scaffolding: the power of connection, belonging, and everyday support. Whether you’re working at height, on the ground, or behind the scenes, community is what keeps our industry strong — and it’s what can help keep us mentally well too. Why Community Matters in Scaffolding Scaffolding is a team effort. From the early starts and long days, to the careful planning and physical demands of the job — no one does it alone. That sense of teamwork and trust is more than just good practice — it’s a lifeline. Scaffolding is built on teamwork. From the early starts and long days, to the careful planning and physical demands of the job — no one works in isolation.  Checking in with a colleague, taking breaks together, or making time to talk when someone’s struggling, can make a real difference. Mental Health Is Everyone’s Business We echo the words of Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association, who said: “Mental Health Awareness Week reminds us that community is not just a word — it’s something we create through the way we treat each other, look out for one another, and make space to talk.” His message is a timely one. Mental health isn’t a side issue — it belongs on every toolbox talk, every company agenda, and every scaffolding site across the UK. Where to Get Support National Scaffolding Week proudly supports the work of these incredible organisations making a difference in our industry: Mates in Mind – Mental health education and support tailored to construction. Lighthouse Club – Financial, emotional and wellbeing help for construction workers and their families. Construction Sport – Using sport to create space for mental health conversations and connection. Working Minds Campaign (HSE) – Tools and resources to help employers tackle work-related stress. ManKind CIC – Peer support, mentoring and wellbeing programmes for tradespeople. Be Part of the Change Whether you’re an apprentice or a company director, you have a role to play in building a healthier, more connected scaffold community. During Mental Health Awareness Week, we encourage everyone across the industry to: Start a conversation about mental health Share resources on site Recognise when someone might need support — and reach out Because in scaffolding, we don’t just build structures. We build people up too. Find more Mental Health Awareness Week resources here: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week Mates in Mind – www.matesinmind.org Lighthouse Club – www.lighthouseclub.org Construction Sport – www.constructionsport.com Working Minds Campaign (HSE) – https://workright.campaign.gov.uk/campaigns/working-minds ManKind CIC – www.mankindcic.co.uk
May 12, 2025
Scaffolding Association Launches New Guidance on Scaffold Inspections to Raise Industry Standards The Scaffolding Association has published the first in a new series of guidance documents designed to support scaffolding professionals and promote safety best practice across the sector. The new guidance focuses on scaffold inspections, emphasising their essential role in ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of scaffolding structures on sites of all types. As part of its commitment to raising standards and enhancing the professional reputation of the scaffolding industry, the Association is developing a range of practical and accessible resources to assist both its members and the wider sector in understanding and applying best practice. Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association, commented: “We are committed to supporting our members with clear, practical resources that help maintain safe working environments and uphold the highest levels of professionalism. Scaffold inspections are fundamental to reducing risk and ensuring compliance, and we are proud to offer this guidance as part of our mission to promote best practice across the sector.” The Association encourages scaffolding companies to download, review, and implement the guidance within their organisations. It is designed to support internal safety initiatives such as toolbox talks, training programmes, and client engagement — helping businesses demonstrate alignment with current industry expectations. This publication marks the beginning of a broader programme of guidance materials that the Scaffolding Association will be releasing over the coming months. Each resource will focus on key aspects of scaffolding operations, supporting continuous improvement and knowledge sharing across the profession. Download the Guidance
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