FORSTER Group, a provider of roofing, solar and battery storage solutions, has revealed how it is defying industry trends by having a workforce with an average age of just 34.
Scotland’s construction sector is facing mounting pressure from well documented skills shortages and an ageing workforce. Forster Group’s average age, which drops even further to 30 in its roofing division, contrasts with nationwide trends showing over a third of construction workers are aged 50 or over and set to retire by 2035.
Forster Group said that by investing in training, development, and clear career pathways through its Forster Skills Academy, the business is successfully bucking the trend.
“I’ve been with Forster Group for seven years now, and I’ve learned a lot in that time,’’ said Ryan O’Rourke (26), a qualified roofer with Forster Group who joined the Skills Academy in 2018. “I’ve had the chance to work on lots of different projects, and I have been given lots of opportunities to develop my skills and learn more about the industry. Forster Group has been a great place for me to start my career.”
Alongside a commitment to nurturing skills, Forster Group added that is focused on providing genuine career progression. Every apprentice receives training in solar PV installation, building skills that are designed to sustain Scotland’s net zero goals and deliver a future ready workforce. To date, the academy has supported over 100 new entrants through accredited programmes, achieving a 95% apprenticeship completion rate.
“We’ve built a team that’s young, skilled and ready to deliver,” said John Forster, chair and founder of Forster Group. “In a sector facing real challenges, our workforce is a signal of what’s possible when you invest in people and plan for the future.”
The company stated that its approach is paying dividends for housebuilders. With over 35 years of experience and a track record of delivering up to one in five roofs for new homes in Scotland, Forster Group said it offers certainty on ‘capacity, quality and reliability backed by a stable, highly skilled team’.
“When housebuilders choose Forster, they’re choosing a partner that’s ready to deliver,” added John Forster. “We provide the confidence that every roof will be completed on time and to the highest standards, with the next generation of talent leading the way.”
With a dedicated aftercare team Forster has been employed to resolve almost 300 remedial roofing projects installed by other contractors on new homes in the past three years alone.
The company is involved in the UKRI-funded AIMCH project, reinforcing its role in advancing on-site digital technologies and off-site automation.
“We’re proud to be part of the solution, not just to the skills gap, but to the housing and energy challenges Scotland faces,” said Lindsay Kemp, Skills Academy trainer and Scotland’s Apprentice Trainer of the Year 2022. “Our young team is building homes, building careers and building a better, healthier future for themselves and their families.”
