The UK welding industry is grappling with a severe skills shortage, a problem that has become increasingly critical in recent years. With a rapidly aging workforce and insufficient new talent coming into the sector, the industry’s future is at risk. Tadweld, a North Yorkshire-based welding firm, has called attention to the growing gap in skilled welders, which is being exacerbated by the mass retirement of experienced professionals.
In 2023, the number of welding trainees in the UK had fallen dramatically, leaving a significant shortfall in the workforce. While training programmes have been put in place, such as those launched by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), they have not been sufficient to close the gap. The shortage is particularly acute in critical sectors like nuclear, oil, and gas, which require thousands of welders to meet future demand.
The situation is projected to worsen in the coming years, with nearly half of the UK’s welding workforce expected to retire by 2027. This will create a need for more than 35,000 new skilled workers, but current training systems are not designed to meet this demand. In addition, the reliance on international recruitment for over 70% of new welders, combined with the increasing need for automation, is putting further pressure on the industry.
Tadweld, as part of the broader effort to address these challenges, is working to promote welding as a viable career path, with a focus on attracting younger talent. The company is calling for greater investment in apprenticeships and STEM education to ensure a steady flow of skilled workers into the sector. In addition, Tadweld believes that changing the industry’s image will play a key role in reversing the decline and ensuring long-term sustainability.
With a growing demand for skilled welders, particularly in the North Yorkshire region, it is clear that coordinated action from industry leaders, educational institutions, and government is essential to tackle the skills shortage head-on and secure the future of the welding industry in the UK.
