Wood-based panels manufacturer MEDITE SMARTPLY has called for deeper collaboration to solve the UK construction industry skills crisis, warning that recruitment drives on their own are not enough.
The company says the situation demands sustained investment in education, hands-on learning and real-world exposure to modern timber technologies.
Its appeal comes against a background of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) identifying that between 2025 and 2029, the construction industry will need to recruit an estimated 239,300 additional workers – the equivalent of almost 48,000 extra people every year.
Ireland-based MEDITE SMARTPLY, which operates an OSB mill in Waterford and MDF plant in Clonmel, says ambitious housing targets, the transition to low-carbon buildings and the increasing use of modern methods of construction all point towards a sector in transformation.
Last year, the company partnered with the Structural Timber Association (STA) to better understand the pressures facing the UK timber sector. Their findings showed 73% of UK respondents reported experiencing skilled labour shortages, with many expressing concern about attracting new entrants, the availability of apprenticeships, local training pathways and the long-term viability of the workforce.
The survey highlighted a growing disconnect between policy ambition and on-the-ground capability in the UK.
“While demand for timber systems continues to rise — driven by housing targets and demand for low-carbon housing — the pool of skilled workers able to deliver these systems is shrinking,” said Roly Ward, MEDITE SMARTPLY head of business development.
“An ageing workforce, coupled with lingering misconceptions about careers in construction and manufacturing, is making it increasingly difficult to bridge that gap.”
The company urges manufacturers, educators, industry bodies and policymakers to intensify their collaboration.
MEDITE SMARTPLY is involved in the Institute of Carpenters’ (IOC) Timber Industry College Hub programme, bringing together students, educators, industry leaders and aspiring carpenters and joiners. The event helped bridge the gap between education and employment.
In the Netherlands, the company has partnered with SintLucas, a leading creative vocational school, on a series of practical design projects using its MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME product. By working with wood-based panels early in their education, students develop a deeper understanding of sustainability, material performance and future-proof design.
The company is also supporting higher education through a €250,000 donation to TU Dublin, helping establish the new Design + Construct centre. The facility will focus on collaborative, multidisciplinary learning across architecture, engineering and construction, with an emphasis on off-site and modular construction, as well as near-zero energy buildings.
“Building the next generation is about more than filling vacancies,” added Mr Ward.
“It’s about creating a workforce ready to deliver sustainable, high-quality buildings at scale — and ensuring that timber, and the people behind it, are central to that future.”
