Building the Future Pest Control Workforce – How the NPTA Is Helping Members Attract New Talent
The pest control industry is entering a crucial period. With an ageing workforce, rapid technological change, and an ever-growing need for skilled professionals, attracting new people into the sector has never been more important. At the National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA), we are committed to helping our members meet that challenge head-on.
Over the past year, we have launched several major initiatives designed to support recruitment, widen access, and showcase pest control as a modern, rewarding and vital profession. Together, these initiatives form a long-term strategy to ensure our sector continues to grow, innovate and protect public health across the UK.
The Careers Hub – in Partnership with RSPH
One of the most exciting developments is the launch of our new Careers Hub, delivered in partnership with the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and in conjunction with some key industry organisations.
The hub, hosted on the RSPH website, will become the leading national platform for anyone interested in exploring a career in pest control. It brings together:
- Clear pathways into the industry
- Real-world insights from working technicians and business owners
- Information for schools, parents and careers advisers
- Support for people looking to retrain or progress
- Opportunities for employers to reach new audiences
The Careers Hub also highlights the important public health role our industry plays — something rarely recognised outside the sector.
To introduce the initiative, we have released a short explainer video that can be shared across platforms: Watch HERE
This partnership with RSPH gives pest control unprecedented visibility and credibility, positioning our members in front of new audiences and helping them attract the next generation of professionals.
5<25 Professional Futures – backing the industry’s young talent
As part of our commitment to futureproofing the sector, the NPTA has also launched the 5<25 Professional Futures Programme.
This initiative provides fully funded RSPH Level 2 training for young people under 25 employed by NPTA members. Each participant receives:
- Fully funded RSPH Level 2 Award in Pest Management
- Training delivered by industry leaders
- Mentoring and business support
- Access to NPTA’s expert team
- A structured start to a long-term career in pest control
The aim is simple, give young professionals the strongest possible foundation and help NPTA members bring fresh talent into their businesses without the financial barrier of training costs.
The programme helps businesses grow, supports succession planning, and ensures the industry continues to attract bright, motivated individuals.
Supporting Members to recruit from the Armed Forces
Another key route for attracting talent into the industry is through the Career Transition Partnership (CTP). The NPTA has created a dedicated support package for members who hire ex-service personnel, offering:
- Funding support toward the cost of RSPH Level 2 training
- Reimbursement of employer National Insurance contributions
- Free advertising on the NPTA Careers Page
- Assistance shaping job descriptions to resonate with the Armed Forces community
Service leavers bring exceptional discipline, resilience, leadership and problem-solving skills, all of which transfer directly to pest control. Our Armed Forces initiative ensures members can connect with this highly capable talent pool and receive structured support throughout the process.
Why this matters?
Together, these three initiatives, the Careers Hub, Professional Futures, and Armed Forces recruitment support, represent the most comprehensive talent attraction strategy ever delivered within the UK pest control sector.
For our members, the benefits are clear:
- Access to new, motivated candidates
- Reduced costs and risks of recruitment
- National visibility through recognised partner channels
- Stronger pipelines for future workforce growth
But more importantly, this work lays the foundation for an industry that continues to protect public health for decades to come.
The NPTA will keep leading from the front, raising standards, supporting businesses of all sizes, and championing the people who make our profession what it is.
