Working with your MP

September 16, 2022

Members of parliament are there to represent us – that’s their job! Getting support from your local MP can be really useful to your business. Not only can it raise the profile of your company, but they are often a good source of advice and information on specific issues.

Don’t be put off by your MP’s political party! The work they undertake in their constituency is not related to the work they undertake within their political party. It doesn’t matter whether or not you voted for your MP, they will be able to support you and your business.

Getting in touch with your local MP might feel a bit nerve wracking but it’s up to you to make sure they are aware of the issues that matter to businesses, like yours, in their constituency. By investing in building a lasting relationship with them and establishing regular contact, not only will you and your business receive greater publicity and support with work that you are doing in your area, but you will also be able to inform and influence decisions about things that will have a wider effect in your area.

Having your MP on board can be helpful to spread the word about what you are doing in your local area and potentially can help to secure new projects, resources and partners. This could involve asking your MP to publicise a scheme or project you are working on, to requesting public support for your work that can be featured in your local newspaper or trade press.

You can also call on your MP for support if there are major issues getting in the way of a project moving forward or getting something off the ground. If they can help you, they will, but it will mostly involve matters which parliament or central government departments are responsible for, like skills and training. That said they often can show support for issues that arise related to other public and private bodies.

You can also engage with your MP to encourage them to support a local or national campaign that you are passionate about (like National Scaffolding Week!). It’s useful to find out what your MP has been saying about a topic, if they have been involved in anything similar and see if this is something they would support. When you get in touch with them remember to link back to your experiences as a member of their constituency and why it is important to you. If they are able to offer support they might be able to help gain publicity for the campaign and can even introduce you to other businesses or partners that might be interested!

One of the easiest and most effective ways to build a relationship with your MP is to write them a letter that you can post, or send by email. As one of their constituents, you should receive a reply. Include in your letter:

What you want your MP to do: promote a campaign or help you achieve something
Why this is important to you and why you want their help
What the local benefits of their help will be

Use the template letter below to get you started but remember that personalising your letter as much as possible is always a good idea.

We’ve created a template to help you put together an introduction that will get your MP’s attention. Feel free to use this to get you started but remember to personalise your letter as much as possible for the most impact!

Download

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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 – 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