Wood-based panels manufacturer MEDITE SMARTPLY has called for closer collaboration across the industry to help tackle the UK construction skills crisis, warning that recruitment campaigns alone will not solve the problem.
The company says long-term investment in education, practical training and real-world experience with modern timber technologies is essential.
Its warning comes as the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) estimates the sector will need to recruit around 239,300 additional workers between 2025 and 2029, equivalent to nearly 48,000 people a year.
Ireland-based MEDITE SMARTPLY, which operates an OSB facility in Waterford and an MDF plant in Clonmel, says a combination of ambitious housing targets, the shift to low-carbon buildings and the growing adoption of modern construction methods points to a sector undergoing major change.
Last year, the firm partnered with the Structural Timber Association (STA) to assess the pressures facing the UK timber sector. The research found that 73% of respondents were experiencing skilled labour shortages, with many raising concerns about attracting new talent, the availability of apprenticeships, local training routes and the long-term sustainability of the workforce.
The findings also highlighted a widening gap between policy ambitions and the industry’s ability to deliver on the ground.
“While demand for timber systems continues to rise, driven by housing targets and demand for low-carbon housing, the pool of skilled workers able to deliver these systems is shrinking,” said Roly Ward, MEDITE SMARTPLY head of business development.
“An ageing workforce, coupled with lingering misconceptions about careers in construction and manufacturing, is making it increasingly difficult to bridge that gap.”
The company is urging manufacturers, educators, industry bodies and policymakers to work more closely together to address the issue.
MEDITE SMARTPLY is already involved in the Institute of Carpenters’ (IOC) Timber Industry College Hub programme, which brings together students, educators, industry professionals and aspiring carpenters and joiners, helping to connect education with employment opportunities.
In the Netherlands, it has also partnered with SintLucas, a leading creative vocational school, on a series of hands-on design projects using its MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME product. By engaging with wood-based materials early in their education, students gain a stronger understanding of sustainability, material performance and future-focused design.
The company is also supporting higher education through a €250,000 donation to TU Dublin, contributing to the creation of the new Design + Construct centre. The facility will focus on collaborative, multidisciplinary learning across architecture, engineering and construction, with a particular emphasis on off-site and modular building, as well as near-zero energy homes.
“Building the next generation is about more than filling vacancies,” added Mr Ward.
