Job market information
Finding out about glass and related industries
The glass and related industries is part of the process manufacturing sector, represented by Proskills Sector Skills Council. This sector also includes the following industries: building products; coatings; extractive and mineral process; furniture, furnishing and interiors; ceramics; paper; plus print and printed packaging. In addition, there are several industries that are aligned with Proskills industries, including: glazing and window manufacture; soft furnishings; design; paper merchants; and mining services. The sector as a whole currently employs an estimated 810,000 people in around 76,900 workplaces. Since 1998, there has been a steady decline in the numbers employed in the sector as a whole and the number of workplaces, but productivity in the sector has continued to increase over the same period. Overall, the sector will need to recruit almost 93,000 people up to 2017 to replace those retiring or leaving the sector.
The UK glass industry is varied, ranging from large mass production and fabrication plants to specialised studios designing glass vases. It covers:
- Manufacture of flat glass
- Shaping and processing of flat glass
- Manufacture of hollow glass
- Manufacture of glass fibres
- Manufacture and processing of other glass including technical glassware
In addition, it also includes the following industries: glazing and curtain walling; manufacture and installations of windows, doors and conservatories; automotive glazing; and architectural stain glass and stain glass conservation. Glass is a multipurpose product that is used widely on a daily basis. With modern computer use in business and the development of automated systems, many changes have taken place within glass manufacturing.
Key facts:
- There are an estimated 168,000 people employed in the industry, across 21,600 workplaces.
- Workers in the industry tend to be full‐time and directly employed, rather than on a contract basis.
- Work is often shift‐based, especially in lower levels jobs.
- 21% of the workforce has a Level 1 or entry level qualification, 22% a Level 2, 24% a Level 3, 7% a Level 4 and 12% a Level 5 qualification.
- Annual turnover for the industry is currently around £3.7 billion.
- There are 1,801 sole traders in the industry.
Jobs in the industry range from: glass blower, cold end worker, glass engraver, stain glass maker, craft glass worker, glass processor, autoclave operator, batch plant operator, glass fibre maker, furnace controller, engineering manager, service engineer – windows/doors/conservatories, surveyor, installer, lead design engineer, glass technician.
Entry and progression
For those wishing to enrol on apprenticeships in the industry, there are no imposed entry requirements, except that entrants should have a good basic education.
Those wishing to enter the industry should have the following skills and attributes: self‐motivation; willingness to learn and apply that learning; demonstrate the potential to complete qualifications; ability to communicate effectively with a range of people; plus numeracy and literacy skills.
There are a wide range of opportunities for those wishing to change career direction and enter the industry. There are opportunities to work in the industry as window fitters, surveyors and service engineers. Applicants with basic building skills are sought after, such as, woodworking, plastering and bricklaying.
There is a range of relevant industry courses, apprenticeships, vocational qualifications, and training schemes available.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
168,000 |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
21,600 |
|---|
| Gender: |
84% male |
16% female |
|---|
| Age: |
10% of workforce is 16-24 years |
|---|
| 24% 25-34 years |
| 25% 35-44 years |
| 26% 45-54 years |
| 12% 55-64 years |
| 3% 65 years and over |
| Disability: |
10% of the workforce considers themselves to have a disability. |
|---|
Employment trends and future prospects
There has been a decline in the numbers employed in the industry, but this seems to have slowed. In the last three years, employment levels have stabilised.
Skill requirements and shortages
Generally, the skill needs for the future will be in higher level management and technical operations. There will be a continuing need for health and safety skills in the industry. It will become more important for people to be multi‐skilled and able to work across several areas of the business.
Skill shortages in the industry include:
- Employability skills, such as team‐working, having a good attitude, and using initiative
- Craft and Technical skills, such as glass cutting, laminating and computer‐aided design (CAD)
- Management and Leadership skills
Occupational trends
The largest occupational groups in the industry are:
- Process, Plant and Machine Operatives
- Skilled Trades Occupations
- Managers and Senior Officials
There is a shortage of technicians, maintenance and electrical engineers.
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are an estimated 15,300 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,580 workplaces.
East of England – There are an estimated 7,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 2,490 workplaces.
London – There are an estimated 7,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,940 workplaces.
North East – There are an estimated 5,600 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,060 workplaces. There are very few sites in the North East, although there are large numbers of glaziers who are not included in these figures.
North West – There are an estimated 30,600 employees in the regional workforce, in around 2,340 workplaces.
South East – There are an estimated 16,700 employees in the regional workforce, in around 2,460 workplaces.
South West – There are an estimated 7,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,630 workplaces.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 19,500 employees in the regional workforce, in around 2,540 workplaces.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 30,600 employees in the regional workforce, in around 2,270 workplaces. There are a number of large manufacturers in Yorkshire and large numbers of glaziers who are not included in these figures.
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 3,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 900 workplaces.
Scotland – There are an estimated 18,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,300 workplaces.
Wales – There are an estimated 7,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,100 workplaces.
Salary levels
Pay scales in this industry are variable, so the following only provides an indication of the average annual salaries of the current workforce:
- Entry level (e.g. Production Operative) £12,000 ‐ £14,000
- Full operative (e.g. Quality Assurance Technician) £14,000 ‐ £18,000 plus
- Senior Management (e.g. Engineering Manager) £25,000 ‐ £40,000
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Proskills AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
