The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and the National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA) have today launched a new Careers Hub to encourage people to pursue a career in the pest control industry.
Hosted on the RSPH website, the hub brings together practical guidance on entering the industry, including career pathways, qualifications, and job roles.
What challenges is the pest control industry facing?
The pest control industry is currently facing significant recruitment challenges, with some estimates showing that it faces losing up to 40% of its workforce to retirement over the next ten years.
This poses a threat to the health of the public, as pest control plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of diseases.
How will the Careers Hub help?
The hub is designed to support:
- Existing pest control professionals who are looking to expand or progress their careers; and
- New entrants who are looking to take their first steps into the sector.
By setting out what pest control involves on a day-to-day basis, as well as why it matters to the health of communities, the hub seeks to make pest control a more attractive and accessible career choice.
It also encourages young people to join the workforce by advertising some of the innovative work being carried out by NPTA and partners, including the 5<25 Professional Futures programme which provides fully funded pest control training to a young cohort.
NPTA is calling on partners across the industry to share the hub with their networks and encourage the next generation of talent to join the sector.
Kevin Lawrenson, NPTA chief executive, said: “Launching this project with RSPH is a proud moment for the NPTA.
“The pest control industry is critical for protecting people’s health, but we are facing some serious recruitment challenges. Only by raising awareness of the industry and demonstrating how valuable and rewarding of a career it can be can we begin to tackle this problem.”
Mr Lawrenson continued: “We cannot solve the recruitment challenge alone, which is why partnering with RSPH was so important. Their role as an awarding body for our industry qualifications adds real weight, and their links to colleges, educators and the wider public health community give us the reach we need to inspire the next generation.
“We hope that this project will be a key moment in inspiring the next generation of pest control workers to help us continue this crucial work in the years to come.”
Jenni Peprell, RSPH’s director of qualifications, said: “The pest control workforce plays a significant role in protecting the public’s health from a range of serious diseases and illnesses. The importance of this role will only grow over the years to come, with factors such as the climate emergency completely reshaping the challenges encountered by pest management professionals in the UK.
“Like many sectors of the wider public health workforce, the pest control industry is struggling to attract the workers of the future. That’s why we are really pleased about this new partnership with the NPTA.
“Working together with the NPTA and with the wider industry, we are confident that the Careers Hub will play a leading role in bringing through the UK’s next generation of pest controllers.”
