Following The Times’ recent coverage on jobs most and least at risk from automation, plastering was recognised by Microsoft as one of the UK’s safest professions in the world of AI. In this article, Sam Blacknell, Head of Skills and Partnerships at British Gypsum and Isover, part of Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, explores why that recognition matters – and why, even in a digital era, the future of construction will always depend on people.
In an age where artificial intelligence dominates headlines and digital transformation is reshaping industries, it’s reassuring to see skilled trades celebrated for their lasting value. For a sector often portrayed as slow to evolve, this recognition offers both reassurance and opportunity.
According to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the UK will need over 225,000 additional construction workers by 2027, with plastering among the trades most in demand.
The challenge is clear: while the future of plastering may be safe from automation, it still depends on continuous investment in people, training, and modern techniques.
A future-proof trade built on skill
Plastering is a craft where judgement, adaptability, and precision set the standard. Every wall, ceiling, and finish tells the story of someone who understands materials, conditions, and the subtle adjustments that define a quality result. That instinctive ability to read a surface, respond to site conditions, and achieve a perfect finish is something technology can enhance, but never replicate.
While AI is making strides in design, logistics, and project management, it remains limited in environments that rely on dexterity, creative problem-solving, and hands-on expertise. Instead, emerging tools are complementing the skills held by tradespeople, from digital measurement and estimating software through to more sustainable materials that improve efficiency without replacing craftsmanship.
For young people and career changers, plastering offers something increasingly rare: long-term job security, creative satisfaction, and visible impact. And for the wider construction sector, it’s an opportunity to reframe skilled trades as modern, dynamic, and rewarding careers that are vital to both the economy and the built environment.
Bridging the skills gap: nurturing the next generation
The ongoing challenge lies in attracting and equipping enough people to meet the demand. That’s why, at British Gypsum and Isover, part of Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, we’re investing in a pipeline of skilled professionals from every walk of life.
Through our Thistle Partnership Scheme, we support colleges nationwide, providing resources, materials, and hands-on training to thousands of students each year, ensuring they gain industry-ready skills before entering the workforce.
Our Site-Ready Skimming Course, delivered in partnership with the prison system, goes a step further, offering offenders the chance to achieve recognised plastering qualifications and rebuild their lives with purpose.
We also operate the Build Better Academy, which blends online learning with practical training to help both apprentices and experienced professionals upskill and reskill as the industry evolves.
Alongside this, partnerships with organisations such as Women into Construction, Construction Youth Trust, and YouthBuild Ventures UK ensure opportunity reaches every corner of the community. Together, these initiatives are helping to bridge the construction skills gap, making the industry more inclusive, future-focused, and resilient.
Why investment in skills still matters
While plastering may be “AI-proof,” the industry cannot stand still. Innovation in materials, sustainability standards, and building performance continues to evolve – and with the UK’s net-zero ambitions in sight, the need for skilled plasterers trained in modern methods has never been more critical.
Ongoing investment in skills ensures that the next generation of tradespeople can adapt, collaborate, and contribute to a more sustainable built environment. It also reinforces a truth at the heart of our sector: that human craftsmanship, not automation, will continue to define quality and excellence in interior finishes.
At British Gypsum and Isover, we see this principle reflected daily. in every learner trained, every partnership formed, and every smooth surface that stands as proof of skill and dedication. Even as tools and technologies evolve, human capability remains the cornerstone of great construction.
To explore how the construction industry is closing the skills gap and supporting future generations of skilled workers, visit the Building Better Hub or watch Episode 1 of Building Better: The Industry Skills Gap on YouTube.
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