Trades Shortage 2024 UK Report
Updated on
The skilled trades shortage continues to bite - with close to a million new recruits needed by 2032 for the industry to continue. However, the trades continue to be overlooked as a career choice, despite the obvious benefits and opportunities they offer.
MyBuilder.com aims to support the trades and the people that work within the industry, and conducted some research to highlight to the Government and other trade bodies that more needs to be done to support young people into a trade vocation. Currently, British schools encourage a path into further education and university rather than considering trades as a viable - and lucrative - career prospect. The trades are often not promoted as an option - despite the fact that there is a pressing need for more skilled workers, while other professions may be threatened by the rise of AI.
The study revealed some fascinating statistics that proved that more needs to be done to address this issue.
Trades are not being pushed as a potential career when in education
Recent research revealed that only one in ten (13 percent) students had been told about the skilled trades as a potential career choice
This is despite the fact that the UK is facing a nationwide trades shortage, predicted to cost the UK economy £98bn in missed GDP growth opportunities by 2030.
Parents are keen to support their children into a career in the trades
Many parents are recognising the opportunity in this industry.
15% of parents stated they would like their children to be in a skilled trade — making this the most desirable choice, ahead of doctors, dentists, and lawyers.
While a role within the trades was chosen by 15 percent of parents, the second choice was a career as a medical doctor at 12 percent, or working in IT, also with 12 percent of votes. Accountancy and law both received eight percent of the vote . Teaching gained seven percent with dentistry at six percent. A career in the Emergency Services received four percent of the vote, alongside Marketing, Sales and Social Influencer.
The full list of most popular careers selected
| Career Choice | % of Parents |
|---|---|
| Tradesperson | |
| (Electrician, Builder, Plumber or Carpenter) | 15% |
| Doctor | 12% |
| Software Developer | 12% |
| Web Developer | 10% |
| Lawyer / Legal | 8% |
| Accountant / Finance | 8% |
| Teaching | 7% |
| Veterinarian | 7% |
| Investment / Banking | 6% |
| Dentist | 6% |
| Social Media Influencer | 4% |
| Marketing / Advertising | 4% |
| Sales | 4% |
| Emergency Services | 4% |
| Fitness / Personal Trainer | 3% |
The age of parents asked showed an interesting split in opinion, as the younger demographic was the keenest to see their children with a career in skilled trades. Close to a fifth (18%) of parents aged 18-34 said they would choose trades, whereas only 13 percent of parents aged 35-54 would choose this route. The figure rose again in the over 55s age group, with 15 percent stating a role in the trades would be their hope for their offspring.
The full Career Choice For Children Report can be seen here.
Skilled trades offer comparable salaries to other desirable jobs
Graduate salaries
| Career / Sector | Average Salary (£) |
|---|---|
| Banking | 29,755 |
| Marketing | 29,715 |
| Education & Teaching | 22,700 |
| Public Sector | 25,988 |
| Accounting | 27,460 |
| Engineering | 27,920 |
| Sales | 28,140 |
| Computing & IT | 28,146 |
| Entry-level Plumber | 28,533 |
| Entry-level Electrician | 29,999 |
| Entry-level Landscaper | 23,000 |
| Entry-level Carpenter | 29,539 |