Wednesday, December 24, 2025
As the UK construction sector grapples with an intensifying labor shortage, Donaldson Timber Systems (DTS) is leading a strategic charge to future-proof the industry. With national housebuilding targets set at an ambitious 1.5 million homes, the gap between available skilled labor and project demand has reached a critical tipping point.
According to the latest CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) forecasts for 2025–2029, the industry requires approximately 240,000 new recruits over the next five years to maintain momentum. Alex Goodfellow, CEO of Donaldson Offsite and Chair of the Confederation of Timber Industries (CTI), warns that traditional recruitment methods are no longer sufficient to stem the tide of retiring tradespeople and the shift toward digital manufacturing.
The perception of construction as a “low-tech” industry is being dismantled at the DTS flagship facility in Witney, Oxfordshire. Following a landmark £10 million investment in robotics and performance upgrades in 2024, the factory now hosts some of the most advanced automated production lines in Europe.
This technological leap has fundamentally altered the “industry persona” required for modern timber frame manufacturing. DTS is no longer just looking for traditional carpenters; they are actively recruiting from the automotive and engineering sectors.
“By hiring talent with backgrounds in automation and precision engineering, we bring fresh perspectives that enhance our production capacity,” says Goodfellow. “Automation has made factory roles less physically demanding and more inclusive, making a career in timber frame an attractive proposition for a more diverse workforce.”
A cornerstone of the DTS strategy is the long-standing partnership with West Herts College. Since 2018, this collaboration has produced a bespoke Level 2 Site Carpentry & MMC (Modern Methods of Construction) apprenticeship.
Unlike traditional classroom-based learning, the 2.5-year program utilizes a “multi-sensory” approach:
In a major move to empower the wider supply chain, DTS recently launched a first-of-its-kind online training programme designed to help housebuilders and contractors transition to offsite timber frame construction.
Supported by the CITB Industry Impact Fund, which recently awarded £430,000 to a consortium led by Donaldson Offsite, this initiative addresses the “knowledge gap” that often prevents developers from adopting sustainable building methods. The curriculum spans multiple disciplines, including:
The push for MMC and timber frame is not just a national trend but a regional necessity.
By leveraging Modern Methods of Construction, DTS is helping developers reduce on-site waste, lower carbon footprints, and meet the Future Homes Standard—a regulatory driver that is pushing the industry toward a net-zero built environment.
The success of the UK’s housing strategy depends on more than just planning reform; it requires a workforce that is confident in the technology of tomorrow. Through targeted factory investments, cross-sector recruitment, and accredited educational pathways, Donaldson Timber Systems is proving that the “skills crisis” can be a catalyst for positive, high-tech transformation.
As Alex Goodfellow concludes, “We aren’t just filling vacancies; we are building a more competent, confident, and competitive workforce that is ready to deliver the sustainable homes the country desperately needs.”
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Tags: Alex Goodfellow, CITB Industry Impact Fund, Construction skills gap UK, Donaldson Timber Systems, modern methods of construction (MMC), Timber frame training
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