Recruiting skilled workers within the fenestration industry is becoming increasingly challenging and those within the sector are aware that it needs to do more to attract talent.
The industry is more innovative and self-reliant than those outside of the sector give it credit for, but it must do more to highlight the breadth of innovation, technical expertise and career pathways it offers if it is to address the growing skills shortage.
Fenestration is still widely overlooked by young people and those looking to change careers, who often opt for more traditional and better promoted engineering, defence and construction roles.
This presents both a challenge and an opportunity. With the right engagement, the industry has the potential to attract a new generation of skilled professionals who are looking for hands-on, problem-solving roles that combine high levels of detail with real-world application.
REHAU has been actively involved in supporting skills development through its role with the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) in Hereford. NMITE offers a practical, project-based engineering degree designed to better reflect the needs of the modern industry.
“NMITE’s approach aligns closely with the reality of working life,” said Martin Hitchin, CEO of REHAU UK. “Students are hands-on from day one, learning how to apply engineering principles rather than just studying them in theory. That practical mindset is exactly what the fenestration industry needs but explaining that to people outside the sector is where we fall short.”
Through its close links with NMITE, REHAU has seen first-hand how exposure to industry can shape career choices. Many students enter engineering degrees without a clear understanding of fenestration but once they are introduced to the sector, they can see the depth and variety of opportunities available.
One such example is Dan James, a recent NMITE graduate who joined REHAU last year after completing his studies. As someone interested in hands-on engineering and problem solving, Dan was drawn to a role that allowed him to apply technical knowledge in a practical environment.
“I wanted to work somewhere where I could really understand how things work, not just at a surface level,” said Dan. “At REHAU, there’s a high level of technical detail, and a real emphasis on learning and development. It’s a great fit for people like me, who enjoy understanding systems inside out.”
Dan’s day-to-day role involves responding to customer technical queries, supporting complex project journeys, and assisting the technical product management team. He believes these varied responsibilities demonstrate just how diverse roles in the fenestration sector can be.
“Before joining the industry, my only knowledge of the fenestration industry came from White Gold!” he added. “In reality, there’s a great mix of creativity, engineering, digital tools and collaboration across international teams. It’s not a static or boring industry at all.”
During the graduate scheme, Dan was supported through structured training, including opportunities to visit facilities overseas. He spent time in Germany, as well as visits to sites in Poland and Mexico with his graduate cohort, helping him build technical understanding while forming strong relationships across the wider REHAU business.
“Seeing how products are made, meeting people across the organisation and understanding different markets makes a huge difference,” said Dan. “It gives you a much broader perspective and helps you develop confidence quickly.” REHAU believes the industry must be more proactive in promoting itself to students and career-changers. The company offers process and engineering roles to apprentices at its plant in Blaenau Ffestiniog and recycling facility in Runcorn. Since 2024, it has partnered with Building our Skills which is doing vital work to try and address the skills gap in the industry. Initiatives like these, as well as greater engagement at job fairs, stronger links with educational institutions, and clearer messaging around what a career in the fenestration industry looks like could all help shift perceptions.
“There’s a tendency to undersell ourselves – fenestration is innovative, resilient and full of opportunity for people who want to build meaningful, technical careers”, Martin concluded. “We need to be more vocal about that if we want to secure the skills our industry depends on.”
For more information, please visit Careers at REHAU