GLAD 2025: Lifting Careers, Building Futures, Addressing Skills Shortages and Shaping Tomorrow’s Workforce
- Meagan Wood
- May 23, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 29, 2025
30-Second Takeaway
LEEA has announced that Global Lifting Awareness Day (GLAD) 2025 will take place on 12 June, under the theme “Lifting Careers, Building Futures.” The initiative will focus on tackling skills shortages, promoting careers in lifting, and providing practical tools for employers and job seekers across the industry.
The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) has confirmed the return of Global Lifting Awareness Day (GLAD) 2025, taking place on Thursday 12 June 2025, with a renewed focus on workforce development across the lifting sector.
Under the theme “Lifting Careers, Building Futures,” GLAD 2025 aims to address the industry’s growing skills shortages by promoting careers in lifting, supporting employers with practical recruitment tools, and encouraging the next generation to explore opportunities within the sector.
Addressing a Growing Industry Challenge
The lifting industry plays a critical role across infrastructure, construction, manufacturing, logistics, energy, and transport, yet many employers continue to face challenges in recruiting and retaining skilled professionals.
As these pressures intensify, GLAD 2025 is positioned as a practical industry initiative designed to help businesses:
Identify and attract new talent
Develop skills within existing teams
Improve long-term workforce sustainability
What to Expect on GLAD 2025
Throughout the day, LEEA and its industry partners will deliver a programme of activities, resources, and discussions aimed at engaging employers, job seekers, and training providers.
Key focus areas include:
Supporting Employers
Providing guidance on recruitment best practices, apprenticeships, military resettlement pathways, and effective interview techniques to help businesses build and retain skilled teams.
Empowering Job Seekers
Highlighting why the lifting industry offers rewarding, long-term career opportunities, with insight into career pathways, training options, and routes into the sector.
Encouraging Industry-Wide Engagement
Bringing together employers, educators, training providers, and industry leaders to collaborate on solutions that support the workforce of tomorrow.
Industry Report and Live Webinar
As part of GLAD 2025, Dr. Ross Moloney, CEO of LEEA, and Matt Barber, Director of Membership at LEEA, will host a dedicated webinar to launch a new industry report focused on skills shortages and recruitment challenges across the lifting sector.
The report will present industry data and insight into:
Skills gaps and workforce pressures
Recruitment challenges facing employers
Practical strategies to build a sustainable, skilled workforce
The webinar, titled “GLAD 2025 Insights: Turning Industry Voices into Action,” will take place on 12 June at 11:00 BST.
A Launchpad for the Next Generation
Beyond addressing immediate workforce challenges, GLAD 2025 is designed to act as a long-term catalyst for change within the lifting industry.
By raising awareness of the diverse roles available from engineering and inspection to
operations, logistics, and safety management the initiative aims to attract young people, career changers, and underrepresented groups into the sector.
Commenting on the campaign, Dr. Ross Moloney, CEO of LEEA, said:
“The skills shortage in our industry is a challenge that we must address together.GLAD 2025 provides a platform for businesses, educators, and job seekers to come together, share solutions, and shape the future of lifting.It’s time to lift careers and build futures.”
About LEEA
The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) is a global trade association representing organisations involved in the design, manufacture, supply, inspection, and use of lifting equipment. LEEA works to improve safety, competence, and professionalism across the lifting industry through training, technical guidance, and industry leadership.
Learn more → https://www.leeaint.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Global Lifting Awareness Day (GLAD)?
An annual industry initiative led by LEEA to raise awareness of the lifting sector and promote careers, skills development, and safety.
When does GLAD 2025 take place?
Thursday, 12 June 2025.
What is the theme for GLAD 2025?
“Lifting Careers, Building Futures.”
Who should take part?
Employers, lifting professionals, job seekers, training providers, and industry stakeholders.
How can businesses get involved?
By sharing career stories, promoting opportunities, engaging with GLAD resources, and participating in the webinar and campaign activities.
How can people follow the campaign?
By following and sharing content using #GLAD2025.
