My dad and grandad were scaffolders. I even did it myself for a short time. It’s brutally hard work – but it’s something the tech bros will never take away

There’s a shortage of scaffolders. I can’t think why. It’s incredibly hard physical work, doubtless doesn’t pay enough and requires real skill to get right. Scaffolding was part of my dad’s and grandad’s business, so I did it for a while, rather badly. After a torrid few months, I slowly got strong enough to make a contribution. The first time I lifted a 21ft scaffold pole on my own was a proud day indeed. Now, I can’t even pull one off the back of a truck – this I know, because I’ve tried, being in the habit of talking to any scaffolders who can spare the time for a chat and enjoy scoffing at my weakness.

They’re a breed of their own and, alarmingly, a dying one. In March, the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation said the UK needed as many as 40,000 more scaffolders. Unless this shortfall is filled, we’re going to be putting up a lot of low-rise buildings.

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