Case study 2: Scott and Frank McBride

Following a Career in the Trades

Growing up as a teenager, I was aware of older lads who were working as bricklayers, plasterers, and other trades and they were the ones that were doing well for themselves. They’d be driving around in nice cars and it was exciting to try and follow in their footsteps.

My parents worked hard but didn’t have much to spare, and working in the trades offered a chance to live a more financially stable life. It certainly paid off for me — after an apprenticeship at the age of 16, I was in a position to offer to buy my parents’ house by my early 20s.

Building a Career

Over the 25 years I have been working as a plasterer, there have been ups and downs as you would expect. I was self-employed but in lean times in 2008, I decided to sell my business and seek the security of working for someone else.

I had a young family with four kids, and it made sense to me at the time. But I was able to build up again and now I am my own boss again, working with my son.

Working in the trades has so many benefits. Once you’ve done the training, the world is your oyster. You can choose to work for a company, or go it alone. You can work as many or as few hours as you like. There is always the opportunity to work extra hours if you want to. People always need tradespeople and they always will — so there is a high level of security.

The Need for Change in Education

Unfortunately, it seems that nowadays the trades are not pushed as a career option at school. There is this assumption that kids will go on to A Levels and uni — but not all are suited to that, and the trades offer an amazing opportunity to make good money in a rewarding job. It’s a shame that so many are missing out on what could potentially be a great future — and instead will end up in loads of debt from getting a degree that won’t guarantee them a better job.

"I would encourage any young people out there that are interested in working in the trades to go out and get apprenticeships. You’ll be earning and achieving earlier than many with degrees, and the benefits to that are fantastic."

A New Generation: Frank’s Story

Frank McBride, 20, is Scott’s son and has been working in the trades since he was 16. He loves being a plasterer but thinks school didn’t do enough to promote careers in the trades.

"I knew I wanted to work in trades as I had seen first hand the potential that career offers. But they didn’t really push it at school, and I might have ended up missing out if I hadn’t had family in the job."

It’s so flexible to work in trades — you can work for a company or go self-employed and there’s always an opportunity to work extra if you want to. It’s good money and even now in my early 20s I’m able to save for the future.

I wasn’t someone that wanted to pursue more academic qualifications, but I do think many schools just suggest this route as the most obvious option. But doing an apprenticeship and learning a trade has been so much better for me.

I’d tell anyone who is not sure about doing more school to consider apprenticeships — it’s a great career, you can make really good money, and by your early 20s you are already qualified and experienced in your trade. I’m earning well already, I can work extra hours if I want, and I also love what I do.