Alongside economic uncertainty and cost-of-living concerns, the shortage of skilled scaffolders continues to plague the sector. From a lack of interest to an ageing workforce, the reasons behind the shortages are complex, highlighting an urgent need for investment in apprenticeships, meeting modern demands, and clearer career pathways.
Company Director, Jay Munn of Valco Scaffolding, is determined to turn this around. By taking a chance on young people, he’s already helped several individuals find direction and opportunity through a career in scaffolding.
Jay began scaffolding at 13, where he would help out in the family business during the school holidays. He distinctly remembers finding himself hanging out with the wrong crowd at 14, getting himself into situations that could further lead to dangerous roads. This is where he found his love for boxing, becoming more than just an escape, but a passion.
At the height of his semi-professional career and 10 professional fights under his belt, Jay was preparing to compete for a major title when a serious injury changed everything. He was diagnosed with a hematoma, a blood clot on the brain, and two crushed discs in his back due to the toll of countless matches. This abruptly ended his rise and set him on a completely new path with scaffolding.
This change encouraged him to focus on Valco Scaffolding. Through his own physical and mental health struggles, scaffolding slowly replaced boxing as his escape route, a trade that very quickly became an immense devotion. Through this ambition, Jay was made Director of Valco Scaffolding, where he was able to use his platform to help other youngsters turn to the trade instead of the wrong crowd.
Jay commented, “I have a good bunch of boys. I enjoy giving the lads work, helping them get employed. Putting people on the right route is what thrives me.”
“There’s not enough encouragement to talk in this industry. It’s very ‘manly’ and I think it’s difficult to talk about the mental health side of things. It’s a massive issue, which is why I try to talk to the boys and give them an environment where they can feel comfortable in doing that. The more work I have coming in, the more boys I can hire and give them a better start in life.”
21-year-old labourer, Jay Dee, has been employed by Valco Scaffolding over the past two years and is grateful for the direction Jay Munn and Valco have led him on.
He said, “I was going through a really bad time in my life, and I luckily already knew Jay. He took a chance on me, and two years on, I’m loving scaffolding. I honestly couldn’t ask for anything better. I love being with the boys and the environment. Apart from the early mornings, I love everything about it. We have a real good laugh.”
Jay Dee hopes to eventually become a company manager of his own firm, where he hopes he can also give back to the community and make a difference.
He adds, “To anyone looking to get into scaffolding, do it. It’s something I know will pay off for me, and I’m just thankful for the opportunities and skills it’s given me.”
Valco Scaffolding has already employed over 10 young men, many of whom were struggling to find direction before joining the company. For them, scaffolding has provided structure, confidence, and a clear path forward.
But it’s not just a stable career that Valco Scaffolding provides but also a strong community at the heart of the firm. By fostering a true sense of family, it is with the aim to provide a network of support at Valco that looks out for one another. Most recently, the whole team showed up and supported Jack, a young scaffolder at Valco, at his first rugby match with LLANTWIT major RFC. After facing some personal challenges that were out of his control, Jack found himself surrounded by a team that refused to let him face them alone. Their support helped him regain focus, confidence, and back into the right frame of mind
Jay Munn, now 26, reflects:
“I’m still young and still learning a lot. I’m surrounded by great people, and I’m just looking forward to seeing where this journey takes us next.”
Jay hopes to assist as many young people as possible, helping to give those who are struggling, an opportunity to support themselves and advance physically and mentally for a brighter future.
YouGov statistics indicate that only [1]3% of young people aged between 18-24 are looking at the construction industry as a profession, with 9 million workers aged 50 and over in the U.K.
Do you have a story about scaffolding? How are you making a difference to the industry? We’d love to hear about it! Please email marketing@leachs.com and we’d love to arrange a chat!
