Futureproofing the flooring industry: Addressing the skills challenge

The UK flooring industry has experienced massive upheaval in recent years, which has been further compounded by 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 supports this downward 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).

If not managed, this concerning trend 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 the industry can reverse this trajectory and futureproof the sector.

There are several 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 are not being replaced at a rate that keeps pace with demand, prolonging the shortfall.

Exacerbating this are the misperceptions about flooring not being an attractive career path for young people. The world of work has changed dramatically. Due to many discussions around future skills focusing on green skills or digitally led roles, young people do not consider more traditional careers attractive. Education will be key to challenging these perceptions.

The flooring skills gap crisis inevitably reflects broader industry challenges and a changing work landscape, 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, which is leading to negative consequences for businesses and consumers alike.

With fewer fitters, skilled labour will become significantly more expensive and incur further business costs. These increased costs can potentially limit growth opportunities for companies as they simultaneously continue to face challenging market conditions. For consumers, a shortage of skilled fitters can result in delayed projects such as home improvements and the possibility of unsatisfactory services should they resort to using an unqualified provider out of desperation. On a broader scale, with the current Government intent on building 1.5 million houses over the course of this current parliament, the industry must ensure there are enough fitters to help complete housebuilding projects nationwide.

Despite these headwinds, the flooring industry has a promising chance to bridge the skills gap and foster a more skilled workforce through proactive action.

Better investment in training programmes is the first step to addressing skills shortages. Vocational careers like flooring require high-quality, hands-on training and learning experiences, and these programmes must provide workers with the right industry accreditations to carry forward in their careers.

The flooring skills gap crisis inevitably reflects broader industry challenges and a changing work landscape

While a range of training programmes are available across the flooring sector, this is primarily done on an individual company basis. More impactful would be engaging the supply chain to collaborate and deploy resources to develop high-quality training programmes that address the required skills for a successful career in the flooring industry across commercial and residential flooring. Not only will this result in more standardised training, but by creating training programmes that companies throughout the supply chain can collectively promote, the industry will be better positioned to attract young people into the sector.

At Headlam, we have invested in training by developing a pilot training scheme incorporating vital supply chain collaboration. Working with seven suppliers, we created a six-month training programme in the Leeds area. The programme involves providing young people from Leeds with comprehensive flooring training, from understanding the different types of materials and preparation methods to installation, to allow them to start a successful career in the sector.

The programme combines theory and practical application through onsite training at our suppliers’ training facilities. On completion, trainees will receive a Headlam diploma as well as the practical experience needed to embark on their career journey in the industry.

This programme, which has seen great results so far, is a positive example of how the industry can collaborate to invest in young people and futureproof the flooring sector, while simultaneously increasing the standard of fitters in the area. This collective action, underpinned by support from our supply chain in facilitating the training, is a necessary driving force for the industry to bridge the skills gap.

The industry’s future depends on our ability to attract, train, and retain the next generation of skilled fitters. We need to be proactive, and by collaborating across the supply chain to invest in comprehensive training programmes and change perceptions of the profession, we can make a step change against the growing skills gap. Not only will this approach safeguard the industry’s growth, but we will also do our part to contribute to broader economic stability. While this may be a work in progress, it is time for the industry to seize the opportunities available to us to bridge the skills gap and ensure a resilient and thriving flooring industry for years to come.

John Clark is the transformation director at Headlam