The Disappearing Breed: Why the UK’s asphalt operatives are vanishing, and why it matters

The construction industry is feeling the pressure of a growing skills shortage, but few areas are being affected as sharply as the asphalt sector. Paver drivers, screwmen, rakers, plant operatives, the people who keep roads open and projects moving, are becoming increasingly hard to find.

Recent figures show the UK construction workforce has dropped to 2.05 million, the lowest in 24 years. Since before Covid, around 367,000 skilled workers have left the industry, taking decades of knowledge with them. But behind those big numbers lies a quieter issue: asphalt operatives are disappearing, and we’re needing to bring in the next wave of talent.

A skilled workforce losing its backbone

Surfacing isn’t just physical work, it’s a craft. Anyone who’s spent time on the paver knows you don’t learn “feel” from a textbook. Levelling, compaction, jointing, managing temperatures, these skills are passed down from years of working alongside people who’ve mastered them.

The challenge? Many of those mentors are retiring or moving on, and there aren’t enough new faces coming in to learn from them.

The Real Issue: Attracting the Next Generation

Let’s be honest, the average age in our sector is rising, and fewer young people are stepping in. The work can be demanding, and it doesn’t always look as glamorous as other modern career paths. But here’s the part that often gets missed:

This industry offers something most jobs don’t. You get real skills. You work as part of a tight, supportive team. You take pride in seeing something you’ve built, literally, used by millions of people. And the career progression is far quicker than many realise.

While technology is advancing fast, and yes, one day we may genuinely see AI-assisted pavers and high-tech controls, right now is actually one of the best times to join the industry. There’s opportunity everywhere. Anyone who comes in with the right attitude can climb quickly, learn from some of the best in the business, and build a career that’s both stable and well-rewarded.

The gap in the workforce isn’t just a problem, it’s an opening. A chance for new operatives to step in, learn a craft, and become the next generation of experts. With the right support and training, anyone can build a solid, skilled career in this trade, and for those willing to learn, the future of the asphalt industry is full of opportunity.

If you’re young and looking to start your career in surfacing with AP Pavers, get in touch with us today, we’d love to hear from you.