LEEA publishes Lifting Industry survey results
The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) launched its State of the Lifting Industry Report during GLAD2025, as part of its ‘Shining a light on the Industry that holds the world up’ campaign. Among the many key findings, an important reveal from the study is that 71% of respondents believe their firms could do more to ensure lifting operators work to the highest safety standards.
This global survey, commissioned by LEEA in May 2025, reveals further critical challenges facing the lifting sector in terms of skills shortages, limited training pathways and a lack of awareness of the industry among the next generation. The full report can be downloaded on the new LEEA microsite dedicated to the campaign: leealiftingfutures.com.
Conducted in March and April 2025, this was the first global survey focused specifically on these issues and garnered almost 400 responses from over 50 countries. Member and non-member firms were surveyed on the key recruitment, training and skills gaps issues among lifting operators.
Among the many important findings that shine a light on the challenges within the Lifting industry, it found employment of older workers varies geographically, being high in the UK (85%) and Australia/NZ (83%), but low in the Middle East (27%) and Africa (39%). Many firms are not fully preparing for the retirement of these workers.
This leads into recruitment challenges with 79% of firms facing difficulties in this area, mainly due to applicants lacking knowledge of laws/regulations (76%) and required safety behaviours (62%). Most firms address this by training existing staff.
In terms of staff retention, 58% of firms struggle to retain lifting operators, citing challenging environments (36%) and competition for skilled staff (16%).
Gaining the right skills is a further challenge, with 69% of firms reporting skills gaps, particularly in knowledge of laws/regulations (67%) and safety behaviours (51%). Main causes include new hires (66%) and lack of ongoing training (46%).
Looking at future skills needs, 90% of firms expect lifting operators to need new skills within a year: primarily knowledge of new/revised laws (83%) and enhanced safety behaviours (64%). However, only half of firms provide at least annual training. Barriers include lack of time for both staff and managers.
Commenting on the survey findings, LEEA CEO Dr Ross Moloney said: “Our survey offers valuable insights for LEEA and its members to drive targeted improvements in recruitment, training and safety in lifting operations worldwide. We are pleased to find that it also reveals that LEEA members demonstrate stronger training practices and more advanced management of lifting operators compared to non-members. I urge everybody connected with the Lifting Industry to read this report.”
Download the State of the Lifting Industry Report for free on the LEEA microsite: leealiftingfutures.com.
