The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) has launched a nationwide ‘One More Apprentice’ campaign, urging all UK thermal insulation contractors to take proactive steps to secure the future of their businesses and the wider industry.
The initiative shines a spotlight on the critical need for skilled workers in the thermal insulation sector, which faces a significant challenge with approximately 30% of the current workforce set to retire within the next decade.
TICA estimates that currently just 16% of UK thermal insulation contractors are supporting apprenticeships, despite the growing demand for skilled labour. The association also estimates that there are approximately 300 thermal insulation contractors in the UK, and if each contractor committed to taking on ‘One More Apprentice’ annually, the industry would be sufficiently equipped to meet increasing demands for the next decade.
Helen Anderson, deputy CEO at TICA, said: “Like many other construction trades, the thermal insulation industry is facing the challenge of an ageing workforce. To address this, we are urging contractors across the UK to take on at least one more apprentice per year. This small but vital step can ensure a sustainable future for the industry and help close the looming skills gap.
“By doing this, contractors can not only safeguard their own operations but also strengthen the industry as a whole. This effort will ensure the sector is equipped to tackle the challenges ahead and support the UK’s carbon reduction goals.”
TICA highlights that apprenticeship numbers have risen significantly over the last few years, and it is now on target to replenish the retired workforce over the next ten years. However, the gulf between the growing demand for skilled thermal insulators and the actual number of skilled thermal insulators is continuing to widen.
Chris Ridge, technical director at TICA, explained: “In addition to the latent demand for new build construction projects we have a huge swathe of infrastructure projects of national importance that all require specialist thermal insulation labour. There is also a growing market for building services-focused refurbishment projects as more clients look to upgrade their heating systems to sustainable alternatives. Finally, thermal insulation of pipework will need to play a key role if we are to decarbonise the industrial sector in the UK.”
“The thermal insulation workforce needs to grow significantly if we are to help the UK meet their Net Zero 2050 target. If every thermal insulation contractor were to take on one more apprentice for the next ten years, we can realistically gear up the industry to play a significant role in tackling carbon reduction in the UK.”
