TRAINING


With a shortage of skilled labour in the industry, training has become more vital than ever.


TRAINING THE FUTURE


Training has moved in recent years towards more digital and digital-hybrid programmes, and also to manufacturer-led courses and government-backed skills initiatives. Julian Champkin reports.


surveyed more than 400 companies involved in the industry; it focused on recruitment, training and skills gaps in the industry; and it did not make for altogether comfortable reading.


L


Among its findings: the UK has a very high proportion of older workers (those over 50) at 85%, and many firms are not fully preparing for these workers’ retirement


30 | November/December 2026 | www.hoistmagazine.com


ast year, LEEA (the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association), commissioned a report into the state of the lifting industry worldwide. It


and 79% of firms face recruitment difficulties. The majority of respondents reported difficulties recruiting at least some of the time, with 42% of respondents always having difficulty recruiting skilled people to these roles. Just 11% do not have difficulties recruiting people with the required skills to fill lifting operator roles. A key reason cited is that applicants lack knowledge of laws and regulations (76%) and of required safety behaviours (62%). Most firms address this by training existing staff.


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