The carpets industry employs around 27,000 people across the UK. Carpet fitting accounts for just under 66% of total employment in this industry.

The industry generates an estimated total output (GVA) worth over £900 million. The industry is defined by the following activities:

• manufacture of woven carpets and rugs
• manufacture of tufted carpets and rugs
• manufacture of other carpets and rugs (e.g. needleloom and bonded fibre carpets, rugs and tiles and needlefelt underlay)
• carpet fitting

The highest incidence of shortages of skilled staff are for: process operatives; technicians; electricians; managers, particularly shift managers; weavers; and carpet fitters and estimators.

Key issues that need to be addressed in the future include:

• cheap imports
• current price war in lower market tufted carpets
• popularity of non-textile hard-floor coverings, hygiene scares
• increased difficulties in sourcing yarn (fewer UK spinners)
• rising costs
• cost of compliance with legislation

Source: Skills Needs Assessment – carpets 2005a