The UK’s plumbers, electricians, builders, carpenters and other trades are optimistic about the future, with 82% expecting business activity to remain at the same level or grow over the next 12 months, additionally, nearly half (45%) report being busier than last year.
However, research conducted by trade retailer, Plumbfix’s umbrella organisation, Screwfix, has revealed the majority (57%) are reporting difficulties in recruiting staff to support them. This is primarily due to:
- A lack of focus on encouraging new people to train in the trades
- Not enough local skilled tradespeople
- Too much red tape.
For those who struggle to recruit skilled employees, more than one third (37%) believe it is because apprenticeships are not given the same level of respect as a university education. Furthermore, 31% say poor public perception of a career in the trade means school leavers are not interested in pursuing a future in construction.
The research, conducted as part of Screwfix Trade Pulse*, a monthly index of more than 500 UK tradespeople, also revealed strong work levels across the trade at the moment, as nearly one fifth (18%) of tradespeople has more work than they can handle and 40% are quoting for more jobs than 12 months ago.
Nearly all (94%) tradespeople said they would recommend a career in the trade and of the reasons why, 85% say they have a strong sense of achievement when a job is done, and 80% enjoy seeing the results of their hard work.
More than half (57%) of those surveyed said they started as apprentices, and when it comes to increasing the numbers undertaking trade apprenticeships, more than one third (35%) believe greater focus is needed on vocational education in schools. More than one quarter (26%) believe improved awareness about the opportunities offered by a career in the trade would drive greater uptake of apprenticeships, with 19% saying that reducing red tape for employers looking to hire an apprentice should be considered.
Graham Bell, CEO of Plumbfix and Screwfix, said: “When we speak to tradespeople across our 546 stores, they reflect what these findings show us. Tradespeople tell us they have full work diaries, but many struggle to recruit skilled employees when looking to support their growing business. So it is clear that focused efforts are needed to drive recruitment and training into the trades.
“There is much focus on a reported construction skills challenge with various reasons given including loss of talent during the downturn and a lack of new entrants joining the trade. That’s why, now more than ever, all parties including government, suppliers and education providers should work together.
“It was encouraging to see the investment pledged into improving construction skills by the government in the recent Budget, but collectively, we also need to demonstrate why construction is such a great sector to work in, and help those who may be interested in embarking on a career in the trade to overcome barriers they may face. We also need to support tradespeople who want to take on apprentices or hire skilled labour to support their business at a time of much opportunity.”