Job market information
Finding out about fencing
The fencing industry is part of the environmental and land‐based industries, represented by Lantra Sector Skills Council, which also includes the following industries: agricultural crops; agricultural livestock; animal care; animal technology; aquaculture; environmental conservation; equine; farriery; fisheries management; floristry; game and wildlife management; land‐based engineering; horticulture, landscape and sports turf; production horticulture; trees and timber; and veterinary nursing. The sector as a whole currently employs 1,126,000 people (approximately 4% of the UK workforce) in around 230,000 businesses. In addition, there are an estimated 500,000 volunteers working in the sector on a regular basis. Approximately 42% of the workforce is self‐employed.
The fencing industry covers: agricultural, high security, electrical, environmental, vehicle restraint systems, residential, automatic gates, and access barriers. It is made up of a variety of operators including specialist contractors and erectors, safety fencing contractors and multi‐skilled operators.
Key facts:
- There are around 27,000 people working in the industry, in approximately 3,150 businesses.
- 85% of businesses employ less than 10 staff, 14% employ between 10‐49 staff and 2% employ 50 or more staff.
- 92% of the workforce is employed full‐time.
Jobs in the industry include: basic operative/labourer, lead installer, contracts manager, parapet installer, designer, plant and machinery operator, electric fence installer, environmental manager, estimator, quantity surveyor, general fence installer, marketing manager, vehicle safety fence installer, health and safety supervisor, Video Relay Service (VRS) Installer.
Entry and progression
Entry requirements for this industry vary depending on the job role. Some jobs require no formal qualifications. However, relevant qualifications and experience can be an advantage, especially for higher paid job roles. Technical/specialist roles may require specific qualifications and/or experience, but some employers may invest in training a suitable individual.
Entry may be enhanced by obtaining Fencing Industry Skills Scheme/ Construction Skills Certification (FISS/CSCS) card. Organisations may be willing to train potential entrants who have not yet obtained the award.
There are a range of industry endorsed courses, apprenticeships, training schemes, vocational qualifications and a Diploma in environmental and land‐based studies.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
27,000 |
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| Number of UK employers: |
3,150 |
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| Ethnicity: |
97% of the workforce is white. |
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| Gender: |
83% male |
17% female |
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| Age: |
54% of the workforce is aged 25-44 years. |
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[N.B. Data from Lantra, 2010.]
Employment trends and future prospects
Workforce numbers have decline by around 5% in the last year. Only 2% of businesses report having a vacancy, of which half are reported to be hard‐to‐fill.
Drivers of change in employment are:
- Economic change – There is a changing consumer demand. The price of fencing materials such as timber and steel, as well as fuel prices, affect profit margins and charges.
- Legislation and regulations – Many parts of the industry have to comply with on-going legislation designed to drive up standards and improve health and safety within the construction sector.
- Labour supply – Fencing businesses are currently finding it harder to source skilled migrant labour.
- Climate change – businesses within the sector generally need to respond to climate change by reducing their environmental impact.
- Health and safety – Given the size of the industry, problems will be in managing, standardising and enforcing health and safety policies and practices.
- Land management – The ‘right to roam’ legislation, which has increased public access to the countryside, affects many land management decisions (e.g. footpath provision, habitats/nesting, fencing of boundaries). This issue is applicable to agricultural related fencing and other businesses operating in rural settings.
Skill requirements and shortages
Recently, the industry has undergone significant changes, which has led to an increasing demand for high skill staff. There are also requirements for:
- Business and management skills
- Technical/job specific skills (e.g. Fencing Industry Skills Scheme / Construction Skills Certification Scheme (FISS/CSCS)
- Essential skills (e.g. literacy, numeracy, IT, communication and customer relations)
Occupational trends
Employment is concentrated in skilled trade and fence installer occupations, which account for 45% of all employment. 18% of workforce is in managerial roles and 16% in elementary occupations.
Current and future skills needed by different occupations include:
- Semi‐skilled staff are required to achieve a number of health and safety standards and competencies (e.g. obtaining FISS/CSCS cards and Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) cards). Basic numeracy and literacy skills are also required.
- Skilled staff are required to obtain the same technical qualifications as at semi‐skilled levels. Beyond these, skilled staff require supervisory skills and computing.
- Management staff need skills in business and management, personnel management, legal knowledge, planning and organising, health and safety management, communications, budgeting and finance, and ICT and computing.
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are an estimated 2,400 employees in the regional workforce, in 250 around businesses.
East of England – There are an estimated 4,100 employees in the regional workforce, in around 350 businesses.
London – There are an estimated 3,300 employees in the regional workforce, in around 200 businesses.
North East – There are an estimated 1,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 100 businesses.
North West – There are an estimated 2,200 employees in the regional workforce, in around 300 businesses.
South East – There are an estimated 4,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 600 businesses.
South West – There are an estimated 1,700 employees in the regional workforce, in around 300 businesses.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 1,700 employees in the regional workforce, in around 300 businesses.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 4,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 300 businesses.
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 300 employees in the regional workforce, in around 50 businesses.
Scotland – There are an estimated 1,650 employees in the regional workforce, in around 250 businesses.
Wales – There are an estimated 750 employees in the regional workforce, in around 100 businesses.
[N.B. Data derived from Experian National Surveys Database, 2008.]
Salary levels
Pay scales in this industry are variable, so the following only provides an indication of the average salaries paid to some full‐time positions:
- A new fence installer can earn between £11,000 ‐ £15,000 a year
- Experienced fence installers can earn from £18,000 to over £20,000
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Lantra AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
