Ryan FowlerThe UK is facing a severe shortage of welders, with WorldSkills UK estimating a gap of more than 35,000 skilled professionals. The Government’s 2025 industrial strategy green paper has acknowledged the problem, citing shortages in electrical, mechanical and welding trades, but employers argue that current plans fall far short of addressing the crisis.
Chris Houston, managing director of Tadweld, a leading steel fabrication company, said: “Our welding industry is facing a cliff-edge moment, where skills shortages are going to cripple our ability to manufacture steel structures here in the UK. We all have a role to play, with action needed across Education, Government and Industry.” He called for greater focus on manufacturing capability and said incentivising welding apprenticeships could provide an immediate boost.
While apprenticeships are 95% funded through the Apprentice Levy, employers say wage increases have undermined affordability. “At a point where apprenticeships have never been more needed, it is illogical to make them cripplingly expensive for employers. Due to these increased wage costs, we can now only afford to offer two apprenticeship positions for every three that we would have previously been available. This year, with the impact of increased National Insurance, we can only afford to take one,” said Houston.
Education providers are also under pressure, with fewer apprenticeship opportunities making it harder to sustain welding courses. In the UK, 91 colleges offer a Level 3 fabricator welding course, yet just 231 trainee welders graduated in 2024. In contrast, 622 visas were issued for the recruitment of international welders in the same year.
Highlighting the career potential, Houston said: “Once fully trained, our apprentices will normally earn around £30,000 per year, excluding overtime and bonuses. They are commonly debt free, have a profession for life, and after further experience can take home over £50,000 per annum. It is a fantastic option for practically minded people.”
He added: “The problem is evident, we have an enormous skills gap in our industry, facing increasing demand and unprecedented levels of retirements. We need immediate and coordinated action to turbocharge the volume of trainee and apprentice welders in the UK. It is essential if we want to achieve our nation’s infrastructure, defence and construction goals over the coming decades.”
