Rosina Robson, BPCA chief executive, shares how the Association’s new pestcareers.org.uk hub, recruitment film, Open Doors Charter and social media campaign are helping to attract a more diverse, skilled and inspired workforce into pest management.
When I first joined BPCA, one message came through loud and clear from members up and down the country: recruitment is tough. Whether you’re running a small, family-owned firm or managing a team of technicians across multiple regions, you’ve probably felt the strain of trying to find and keep good people. It’s no secret that our industry faces a demographic cliff edge.
Nearly 40% of the UK pest management workforce is expected to retire within the next decade, at precisely the same time as demand for professional pest management services continues to grow. The question is: who will step up to replace them? That’s the challenge BPCA’s pest careers project sets out to tackle.
Showcasing the heart of pest management
Our comprehensive campaign, led by BPCA’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, aims to do something ambitious but vital: show the world what pest management really is.
We worked with award-winning production company Liquona, one of the UK’s top 25 creative agencies, to bring our vision to life. The film, titled “Drive the Talk / Split the Difference”, was produced at a professional studio in London using a purpose-built virtual production set.
The concept keeps a single pest control van as the visual anchor while split-screen scenes unfold around it, showing the breadth of work pest professionals carry out in different environments, from takeaways and stadiums to family gardens and homes.
Shot on a cinematic 4K setup with broadcast lighting and sound, the production team included an experienced BBC producer and creative director, along with professional crew and stylists. But the real stars of the film are our own members.
Real pest professionals and BPCA volunteers stepped in as extras throughout the shoot, representing the diversity, warmth and professionalism that define our sector. Their input didn’t stop at acting, as the script was shaped with feedback from volunteers across BPCA’s EDI and Outreach and Communications Committees.
The result is a short, upbeat and genuinely human portrayal of our industry. The main character, a pest controller, walks us through a day in the job, solving problems for business owners, advising the public, and even saving a child’s birthday party. The message is clear: pest management is about protecting people, property and the environment. It is about variety, problem-solving and pride in doing something that matters.
As Katie Oliver, Liquona’s lead producer, explained: “We wanted to create something with warmth and humour that shows the heart of pest management. It’s not just about tackling pests, it’s about helping people, solving problems and building meaningful careers.”
The finished video runs for just over a minute, making it perfect for social media and recruitment use. Six shorter edits have been created for different platforms, alongside behind-the-scenes photography and a secondary film capturing the making of the project.
This film will be freely available for all BPCA members to use in their own recruitment campaigns, at events or in local schools. We want to put professional pest management firmly on the map as a career that makes a difference.
A new home for pest careers
The film sits at the centre of our brand-new online hub: pestcareers.org.uk. This is the first time our sector has had a dedicated space designed to inspire, inform and connect potential recruits with real career opportunities in pest management.
The hub isn’t another jobs board. It’s a place where people can explore what the industry does, what qualifications and training routes exist, and what life as a pest professional is really like.
Visitors can find honest stories from technicians, consultants and business owners across the UK, step-by-step guides on training, certification and starting out, customisable recruitment materials and onboarding templates for employers, and links to job boards and BPCA-approved training opportunities.
We’ve deliberately made the site open, inclusive and practical. From ex-forces personnel to school leavers, hospitality workers retraining, or parents returning to work, we want everyone to see that there’s a place for them in pest management.
The Open Doors Charter
Alongside the hub, we’re launching the Open Doors Charter, a sector-wide pledge for inclusivity and opportunity. Members who sign the charter commit to fostering an open, welcoming workplace culture, rejecting discrimination, and proactively supporting new entrants into the industry.
BPCA members who sign will receive an official Open Doors logo to display on their websites or marketing materials, signalling to potential recruits that their company values diversity and fair opportunity.
As the Charter states, “Together, we can build a pest management sector that embraces diversity, fosters inclusion and thrives on respect and equality.” It’s simple but powerful. Signing the charter says, “Our door is open. You’re welcome here.”
Built by the industry, for the industry
What makes this project so special is that it’s truly powered by the profession itself. Our EDI Committee, made up of member volunteers, has worked tirelessly alongside the BPCA staff team to shape every element.
As Julia Pittman, chair of the EDI Committee, explains: “When we asked professionals what they loved most about their work, they talked about the variety, the problem-solving, the independence and above all, helping people. Jobseekers today are looking for exactly those qualities.”
That insight guided every part of the campaign. The language we use, the stories we tell and even the visuals all show pest management as the modern, respected, skilled trade that it is. We’ve had technicians, business owners and committee members appear on camera, review scripts and share personal stories for the new careers hub. Their passion and authenticity shine through.
Why this matters now
This isn’t just a recruitment exercise. It’s about safeguarding the future of our profession. Pest management protects public health, defends the food supply chain and supports every sector from housing to hospitality. Yet we still face misconceptions, with some people thinking pest control is “just about killing things” or “not a skilled trade”.
By showing the human side of the work, how pest professionals prevent disease, protect property and solve complex environmental problems, we’re changing that narrative.
We’re also ensuring that our workforce better reflects the communities we serve. Diversity strengthens businesses, drives innovation and helps us connect more effectively with our clients. As our EDI Charter reminds us, inclusion isn’t a tick-box exercise; it’s a long-term commitment to making our workplaces safer, fairer and more dynamic.
A national campaign
To raise awareness, BPCA is making a significant investment in a national social media campaign to promote the film and careers hub. This will expose thousands of people to pest management as a professional, rewarding and meaningful career.
By reaching people where they already are online, we’re hoping to spark curiosity, challenge assumptions and drive visitors directly to pestcareers.org.uk, where they can take the first step towards joining the industry.
How you can get involved
Sign the Open Doors Charter to show your commitment to inclusive recruitment and get access to the official logo
Use the recruitment video on your website, at schools or career events, or in your social media campaigns
Share your story by sending us blogs, videos or testimonials for inclusion on pestcareers.org.uk.
Upload your vacancies to the BPCA Jobs Board to connect with new recruits
Spread the word through your own networks, whether that’s local schools, job centres or community groups.
If you’d like to get involved, email [email protected] and our team will be happy to help.
Looking ahead
The careers hub and video are just the start. Over the next year, we’ll continue adding more resources, stories and tools to support members and aspiring professionals alike. We’ll also be working with schools, colleges and career advisers to make sure pest management is recognised as a legitimate, rewarding trade career, right alongside plumbing, electrics and construction.
I truly believe this project represents one of the most important steps BPCA has ever taken to secure the future of our sector. Because when someone joins pest management, they’re not just taking a job, they’re joining a profession that protects people, property and the planet. That’s something to be proud of.
