Strengthening Industry Support Through MP Engagement

October 8, 2024

As part of NSW, the Scaffolding Association has urged MPs to visit scaffold companies within their constituencies. These visits are designed to help MPs gain a better grasp of the industry’s critical role in supporting construction projects, ranging from small residential builds to national infrastructure. The ultimate goal is to foster stronger ties between the industry and government, improving conditions and opportunities for our members.


This initiative has gained widespread support from MPs, many of whom have agreed to promote NSW through their social media channels and committed to meeting with scaffolding businesses. Their backing is crucial in highlighting the challenges our members face, such as safety regulations, rising material costs, and the need for investment in skills training.

The return of MPs to Westminster after the autumn political party conference season marks an important moment for NSW. This year, the Scaffolding Association was represented at all major party conferences, taking the opportunity to engage informally with ministers and parliamentarians. These interactions allowed us to listen to their agendas, contribute to discussions, and underscore the pressing issues facing our members and the broader construction industry.

Many MPs have since shown their support for NSW, recognising the importance of scaffolding to the UK’s infrastructure and economic growth. One key supporter is Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State at both the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Department for Business and Trade. Sarah, who also serves as Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council, has recognised the essential role our members play in supporting the government's goals, such as the construction of 1.5 million new homes. Her commitment to working with the Scaffolding Association offers a promising step towards addressing industry challenges and improving the outlook for our members.


Robert Candy Meets Nigel Huddlestone MP

Another significant engagement for NSW came when Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association, met with Nigel Huddlestone, MP for Droitwich and Evesham. This meeting highlighted the scaffolding sector’s contributions to the UK economy, safety, and innovation. Huddlestone expressed strong support for the industry, remarking:

"This week is National Scaffolding Week. I want to take a moment to recognise the vital role scaffolding plays in keeping our construction industry moving safely and efficiently. From supporting building projects to ensuring worker safety, the scaffolding sector is crucial. I have met Robert and Chris from the Scaffolding Association several times and am always impressed by their commitment to innovation and safety.”

These dialogues underscore the importance of supporting and improving the scaffolding industry for the benefit of all.


National Scaffolding Week: A Pathway to Industry Improvement

National Scaffolding Week serves as a platform to recognise the scaffolding industry’s indispensable role in UK construction while actively working to improve the industry for our members. By fostering connections between MPs and local scaffolders, NSW aims to create long-term benefits for businesses in the sector. These include improvements in safety regulations, access to training and skills development, and support for industry innovation.

The scaffolding industry is critical to the success of government initiatives such as infrastructure development and the push towards net-zero targets. Through events like NSW, we are ensuring that our members’ needs are represented and their contributions acknowledged by those in power.


Looking Ahead: A Stronger Future for Scaffolding

By encouraging MPs to engage directly with the scaffolding industry, the Scaffolding Association is taking active steps to improve the working conditions, opportunities, and recognition of our members. Support from high-profile figures like Sarah Jones MP and Nigel Huddlestone MP shows that the industry’s challenges and opportunities are firmly on the radar of policymakers.


As NSW continues to facilitate meaningful dialogue between government and the scaffolding sector, we are optimistic that this will lead to positive, lasting improvements for our members and the wider construction industry.

Where's The Careers Advice for the Roles That Build Britain

April 23, 2025
The Construction Skills Shortage and the Scaffolding Sector’s Missing Message The UK’s housing targets are under pressure. The construction sector faces a growing skills shortage, and as the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) recently highlighted, one of the root causes is alarmingly simple: young people aren’t hearing about careers in construction. But this problem runs even deeper than housebuilding. At National Scaffolding Week , we see how the lack of construction-focused careers advice affects the entire scaffolding and access sector. Scaffolding is the backbone of construction — from maintenance on heritage buildings to the delivery of modern megaprojects — yet the pathway into our industry remains under-promoted and often misunderstood. Breaking Down Barriers and Busting Myths Despite offering structured training, clear progression routes, and a wealth of skilled and professional opportunities, scaffolding still suffers from outdated stereotypes. Too many young people, teachers, and even parents see it as just a stopgap job, not the highly technical, safety-critical profession that it is. Scaffolding is so much more than tubes and boards. It's about design ingenuity, engineering precision, safety leadership, and project management excellence. It’s about problem-solving, teamwork, and making a visible difference to the world around us. Why Early Engagement Matters If we’re serious about tackling the skills shortage — and if we want to secure the future of the access and scaffolding sector — we need to start early. Careers advice in schools must reflect the real breadth of opportunities available across construction, including scaffolding. That means: Embedding scaffolding into careers education programmes. Creating engaging, relatable role models who can share their stories with young people. Showing the exciting projects and life-changing infrastructure that scaffolders help to make possible. National Scaffolding Week: Leading the Conversation Our mission at National Scaffolding Week is to make scaffolding visible, accessible, and aspirational. We’re here to champion the essential role our sector plays in building Britain — and to ensure that scaffolding is part of the careers conversation in every school and college. Because if young people can’t see it, they can’t be it. Let’s work together to showcase the skills, passion, and pride that drive the scaffolding industry — and inspire the next generation to help us build the future.

Beat My Scaffold 2025 Winners Announced

March 25, 2025
The #BeatMyScaffold2025 competition has officially concluded, celebrating some of the most innovative and well-executed scaffold designs from around the world. The contest, which showcased the skills and creativity of industry professionals, saw strong participation from scaffolding experts, judges, and voters alike.
Safe Loading and Vehicle Checks for Scaffolders –

Safe Loading and Vehicle Checks for Scaffolders – Essential Driver CPC Module Launched by Scaffolding Association and RHA

February 13, 2025
Scaffolding transport comes with serious risks and getting it wrong can result in fines, vehicle prohibitions, loss of an operator’s license, and, more tragically, serious injuries or even fatalities. For this reason, the Scaffolding Association and the Road Haulage Association (RHA) have this week launched a brand-new Driver CPC training module, 'Safe Loading and Vehicle Checks for Scaffolders.' This course contributes to the required thirty-five hours of periodic Driver CPC training, mandatory for all professional HGV drivers. Failing to complete this training can result in being unable to legally drive. Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association, said: "Scaffolding transport is both high-risk and heavily regulated and getting it wrong can have devastating consequences. Poorly secured scaffolding loads can cause serious injuries, collisions and even fatalities. This new course equips drivers with the knowledge to prevent such incidents, protecting lives and protecting businesses from enforcement action and legal consequences.” Richard Smith, Managing Director of the RHA, said: "Load security is a priority for police and enforcement agencies who actively target non-compliant vehicles. There’s a moral obligation too as unsecured scaffolding and unsafe loads not only lead to penalties, but they also put lives at risk. This DVSA-approved course is designed specifically for scaffolding-related transport and equips drivers and businesses with the essential skills to stay compliant and safe. It arms drivers and businesses with the knowledge they need to prevent accidents, avoid fines, and protect the public." This Course Will Ensure: ● Drivers and operators fully understand the latest legislation ● Scaffolding materials are transported safely, securely, and legally ● Vehicles remain roadworthy and compliant with operator license requirements ● Businesses avoid costly enforcement action, fines, and prohibitions What Delegates Will Learn: ● Load Security – Key updates and who is responsible ● Staying Safe & Compliant – The right way to load scaffolding vehicles ● The Consequences of Getting It Wrong – Prohibitions, fines, and legal action ● Daily Vehicle Checks – What must be checked and how to record defects ● Defect & NIL Defect Reporting – Keeping vehicles roadworthy ● Enforcement Agencies – Their powers, documentation, and what to expect Who Needs to Book This Course? ● All professional HGV drivers transporting scaffolding ● Operators and supervisors responsible for loading & securing scaffolding materials ● Businesses that want to avoid enforcement action and protect their operator’s license For full course details including dates and locations, please visit: https://www.rha.uk.net/Training/England-Wales/Driver-CPC-Courses/-Safe-Loading-and-vehicle-checks-for-Scaffolders
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