n By Keith Hatch ‘‘


Glazing is no different to other areas of construction and has seen a lack of young people entering the trade... Unite will continue to support young workers and encourage them to develop the skills for a career in the sector


Adam Oakes Unite national officer


cheap glass imports, and we’ve already seen the collapse of household names and the loss of hundreds of jobs.”


The TUC is calling on the government to include conditions in its Warm Homes Plan that would require upgraded windows to be made in the UK, something which would be a boost to the country’s flat glass industry, whilst securing skilled jobs and apprenticeships in areas that need it most.


Retrofitting could provide lots of new jobs but faces the same problem as a lot of construction, a skills shortage, along with an inconsistency around information and funding. This results in the people having the most to gain from improved housing being the least likely to benefit.


A report last year from


The Young Foundation and the London Sustainable Development Commission called for


urgent action to ensure home retrofitting across the capital leaves no one behind.


A just transition in London’s retrofits found that retrofit progress is far too slow and that those who need retrofits most are often excluded. It said, “Vulnerable groups such as disabled people, older adults, people from ethnic minority backgrounds, renters, and low- income households face the greatest housing-related risks but are also the least likely to benefit from current schemes.”


Mete Coban, London’s deputy mayor for environment and energy, says, “Tackling the climate emergency must go hand in hand with tackling inequality. Retrofitting our homes not only cuts carbon emissions but also helps Londoners reduce their bills, which is more important than ever given the rising cost of living.”


Unite national officer Adam Oakes said, “Glazing is no different to other areas of construction and has seen a lack of young people entering the trade, making it difficult to roll out the retrofit program that will benefit so many households.


“An ageing workforce and early retirement, a lack of training and apprenticeships, as well as the perceived lack of interest in construction work among younger people are just some of the issues that the sector faces. Unite will continue to support young workers and encourage them to develop the skills for a career in the sector.”


George Lewis, from the People in Glazing Society, said, “The UK glazing sector is at a turning point. Demand for high quality glazing solutions is rising rapidly, driven by sustainability targets, retrofitting needs, and energy efficiency regulations.


“At the same time, we’re facing a pronounced workforce shortage. Industry projections show we need 15,000 new installers by 2030 just to keep pace with demand.”


One organisation hoping to make a difference by encouraging young people to make “Fenestration, glass and glazing a career of choice” is Building Our Skills.


During 2025, Building Our Skills worked with employers to deliver an action plan they hope will create a future workforce across the sector, by reaching out to young people and showing them what a career in glazing could mean.


This included hosting a number of large careers festivals that brought together young people, educators, and employers to show what possibilities a career in the fenestration, glazing, and wider construction industries could hold.


35 unite buildingWORKER Spring 2026


Following the event in Birmingham Building Our Skills said, “It was an incredible day of inspiration, opportunity, and connection, bringing together young people, educators, and employers from across the region, all with one shared goal… to build brighter futures in the fenestration, glazing, and wider construction industries.”


So it’s clear to see that a future in glass manufacturing and glazing is vital and offers to protect existing jobs and improve future job opportunities, while helping the UK move towards a Net Zero future.


And that is something we can all raise a glass to.


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Demand for high quality glazing solutions is rising rapidly…At the same time, we’re facing a pronounced workforce shortage. Industry projections show we need 15,000 new installers by 2030 just to keep pace with demand


George Lewis, People in Glazing Society


All images: Alamy


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