FEATURE
FUTUREPROOFING THE FLOORING INDUSTRY
John Clark, Headlam Transformation Director, explores the current skills gap crisis in the flooring sector and how the industry can take action to ensure the future of flooring is resilient for years to come.
The UK flooring industry has experienced massive upheaval in recent years, which has been further compounded from the significant skills gap crisis currently facing the sector. The number of fitters available is in decline, with an 18% shortage in fitters in 2023/24. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) supports this downwards trend with labour force surveys showing 36,900 floorers and wall tilers in the UK in 2023-24 (July 2023 – June 2024), compared to 39,000 in the previous year (July 2022 – June 2023). This concerning trend, if not managed, will have a detrimental effect on the flooring industry’s future. Rather than allow it to continue, we must take stock and identify the opportunities and ways in which the industry can reverse this trajectory and futureproof the industry.
HOW DID WE GET HERE AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE INDUSTRY?
There are a number of reasons for the skills gap in the sector. A primary cause is the ageing workforce. With many fitters reaching retirement age and exiting the workforce, not only is the industry losing vital skills, knowledge, and experience, but these roles
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aren’t being replaced at a rate that keeps pace with demand, prolonging the shortfall.
Exacerbating this are the misperceptions around flooring not being an attractive career path for young people. The world of work has changed dramatically and due to much of the discussions around future skills focusing on ‘green’ skills or digitally led roles, this unfortunately leaves more ‘traditional’ careers such as flooring to not be considered attractive by young people. Education will be key to challenge these perceptions.
The flooring skills gap crisis is inevitably reflective of broader
industry challenges and a changing landscape of work, with related industries also experiencing similar shortages. The UK construction sector will need an additional 251,500 workers by 2028 and according to a recent survey by the British Institute of Kitchen Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BIKBBI), 65% of KBB installers were considering switching to other industries citing financial gain as the main drivers. The UK is in the midst of a skills gap crisis and this is leading to negative consequences felt by both businesses and consumers alike.
www.tomorrowscontractfloors.co.uk
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