European scaffolding leaders tour Total People apprentice centre in Wythenshawe

Training provider Total People hosted members of the Union of European Scaffolding Companies (UEG) and representatives of the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) at its scaffolding centre in Wythenshawe during ScaffEx26, NASC said.

The visit formed part of the European delegation's programme while attending ScaffEx, according to NASC, which published the news on 9 October. The show itself took place at Manchester Central on 10 and 11 September 2026.

Delegates toured Total People's purpose-built scaffolding training facilities and met apprentices, employers and learning coaches. They also spent time with Connolly Scaffolding, one of Total People's employer partners, to hear about workforce development, skills growth and succession planning.

Steve Fellows, Vice President of NASC, said it was important to build a relationship with European counterparts. "Having them come to a training centre, where they can see the quality and the levels of what we do for our scaffolding industry," was so important, he said.

The visit

Apprentices on the programme told the delegation about entering the industry, developing technical skills and building long-term careers through apprenticeship pathways, NASC said.

Total People said its specialist scaffolding learning coaches explained how training is tailored to employer needs while maintaining standards of safety, technical competence and industry practice.

Paul Turner from Connolly Scaffolding said apprentices are key to the scaffolding industry, that there is a skills shortage, and that the firm's partnership with Total People had grown stronger over recent years.

Albin Nilsson, President of UEG, said it was important for the industry to come together across Europe, "learn from each other and develop a shared view of the future of the scaffolding industry". Visits of this kind let countries exchange knowledge and see how others develop training, skills and the next generation of scaffolders, he said.

John Thornhill, Chief Executive Officer of LTE Group, said skills development is critical to the long-term success of every sector. Melanie Nicholson, Managing Director of Total People, said apprenticeships are essential to the future of the industry.

Who was involved

UEG represents the interests of the scaffolding industry in Europe. Founded on 25 October 2008, its members are national scaffolding associations from ten countries: the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, France and Luxembourg. Its board, elected every second year at its General Assembly, lists Nilsson as President from Sweden's STIB association, with Hannah Monreal as Secretary General, based in Cologne.

Total People is part of LTE Group, which has about 3,500 colleagues and 50,000 students and learners. The group describes Total People as one of the largest providers of apprenticeships and work-based learning in the North West of England, and its other organisations include The Manchester College.

The apprenticeship

Total People's scaffolding apprenticeship combines online learning, on-the-job experience and practical sessions at the Wythenshawe centre, according to the provider. On completion, a scaffolder is eligible to apply for a CISRS Scaffolder card.

Total People said employers with fewer than 50 staff are eligible for 100% funding for apprentices aged 16 to 18, while those with more than 50 staff can get 95% funding for apprentices aged 16 and over.

ScaffEx26

NASC describes ScaffEx26 as the world's biggest scaffolding and access industry event. Its post-event review reported 2,800 visitors and 70 exhibitors over the two days, with exhibitors from around the world.

The confederation said the 2026 show was the biggest it had staged, with 35% more visitors through the door than the previous year.