How the Education Landscape Can Power the Glazing Industry

The UK glazing sector is at a turning point. Demand for high quality glazing solutions is rising rapidly, driven by sustainability targets, retrofitting needs, and energy efficiency regulations. At the same time, we’re facing a pronounced workforce shortage. Industry projections show we need 15,000 new installers by 2030 just to keep pace with demand.

But with an ageing workforce, apprenticeship drop out rates, and fewer young people considering careers in skilled trades, the challenge is real. For members of People in Glazing, it’s both a pressing concern and an opportunity to shape the future.

That’s where The Education Landscape: A Guide for Employers comes in a practical resource showing exactly how glazing businesses can build a future ready workforce, inspire the next generation, and strengthen their business at the same time. Many businesses are already making use of these free resources, including the Glass and Glazing Federation who chose to rebrand the Guide and Index to help engage their members.

Building a pipeline of skilled talent

Your future employees are in schools, colleges, and training centres right now, but many have no idea about the career opportunities glazing offers. By engaging with them early through careers talks, school visits, or workplace tours, you can showcase the craft, technology, and career potential in our trade.

For those ready to take a bigger step, hosting T Level placements or apprentices offers a dual benefit: you provide hands-on experience, and you get the chance to assess and shape potential recruits or new employees. The glazing industry’s Skilled Pathways scheme already supports NVQ Level 2 qualifications and on the job training, providing a solid route into the sector.

Elevating your team’s capabilities

The Education Landscape also supports upskilling existing staff. Partnering with local colleges and training providers means your team can access specialist courses – from advanced installation techniques and sustainable glazing to Auto-Glazing Technician standards. These skills aren’t just nice to have; they’re essential to meeting evolving customer demands and compliance requirements.

Strengthening your local and industry reputation

Actively engaging in education not only helps young people, but it also boosts your company’s reputation locally, within the People in Glazing network, and across the wider industry. Whether you mentor students, help shape course content, or open your factory for a visit, you’re showing commitment to your community and the sector’s future.

Bringing fresh ideas into your business

Young learners bring digital skills, new perspectives, and enthusiasm. In glazing, this could mean fresh approaches to CAD design, ideas for energy efficiency, or new ways to use digital tools for measuring and estimating. This injection of innovation helps keep your business agile and competitive.

Getting Started – Your Five Step Plan

1. Explore the Education Landscape Guide & Index at educationlandscape.org.uk.
2. Start small: offer careers talk, school visit, or CV workshop.
3. Attract new talent: T Levels, apprenticeships, or industry work experience.
4. Upskill your team with targeted technical or sustainability training.
5. Share your story through People in Glazing – inspire others and raise your profile.

The glazing sector must adapt to regulatory change, green retrofit demands, and demographic shifts. By opening our doors to education, we’re not just filling vacancies, we are building a sustainable, skilled workforce that will keep our industry thriving.

The Education Landscape makes it simple. One conversation with a school, college, or training provider could be the first step to securing your future workforce and shaping the next chapter for glazing.

SDN is a team of leading specialists in apprenticeships, technical education and workforce development. It works for training and education organisations, employers and government, providing industry-leading consultancy, CPD, resources and research.

SDN | Specialists in apprenticeships, technical education and workforce development