{"value":{"id":1900540,"askingMemberId":5140,"askingMember":null,"house":"Commons","memberHasInterest":false,"dateTabled":"2026-04-16T00:00:00","dateForAnswer":"2026-04-22T00:00:00","uin":"127984","questionText":"To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the level of industry demand for welding specialists.","answeringBodyId":29,"answeringBodyName":"Department for Work and Pensions","isWithdrawn":false,"isNamedDay":true,"groupedQuestions":[],"answerIsHolding":false,"answerIsCorrection":false,"answeringMemberId":4979,"answeringMember":null,"correctingMemberId":null,"correctingMember":null,"dateAnswered":"2026-04-22T00:00:00","answerText":"<p>There is a strong and persistent demand for welding specialists, driven by major infrastructure programmes, advanced manufacturing, defence requirements and clean energy investment. This demand is compounded by a significant proportion of the current welding workforce approaching retirement, with a large proportion due to retire by 2027<a href=\"https://www.rapidwelding.com/blog/articles/overcoming-the-shortage-of-skilled-welders/\" target=\"_blank\">(RapidWelding)</a>.</p><p>This accelerates turnover in skilled roles and magnifies the urgency for faster training throughput and progression pathways.</p><p>DWP/Skills England has proactively responded to the anticipated shortage of welders by introducing a new apprenticeship unit in mechanised welding. This initiative is designed to reskill the existing workforce and re‑engage experienced individuals who may have previously been forced into early retirement.</p><p>Furthermore, DWP has fast‑tracked the introduction of a new apprenticeship unit in metal fabrication, with the intention that it will enter delivery from May.</p>","originalAnswerText":"","comparableAnswerText":"","dateAnswerCorrected":null,"dateHoldingAnswer":null,"attachmentCount":0,"heading":"Welding: Skilled Workers","attachments":[],"groupedQuestionsDates":[]},"links":[{"rel":"self","href":"/Questions/1900540","method":"GET"}]}