Tradespeople call for more to be done to encourage apprenticeships

The majority (85%) of tradespeople think there is a shortage of apprentices entering construction, according to the latest research from trade omnichannel retailer, Screwfix. 

When it comes to attracting future talent, while nearly all (99%) tradespeople would recommend a career in the trades, 92% believe more can be done to encourage people into the industry.  

When quizzed on why they would recommend a career as a tradesperson, 86% said it was the pride in a job well done, while being your own boss (72%) and customer satisfaction (64%) came in second and third respectively. 

Looking at the support needed to take on an apprentice, just 12% said they knew how to do it, with assistance and advice for hiring (39%) and training (31%) apprentices identified as the biggest barriers. 

To encourage more apprentices into construction trades, and help tackle the ongoing skills shortage, last year Screwfix unveiled a new initiative to fund the training of trade apprentices. Working in partnership with Flexi-job Apprenticeship Agency, TrAC, Screwfix will support both apprentice and employer with financial support to cover the cost of training. 

The new findings coincide with Screwfix’s annual Trade Apprentice competition, which aims to shine a light on the talent coming into construction across the UK and Ireland and show the need for more apprentices.  

The competition, is now in its 9th year, will see the champion receive the coveted title together with a career-boosting trade bundle worth £10,000, including £5,000 of tools, a £3,000 training bundle and £2,000 worth of technology. 

Jack Wallace, Screwfix Marketing Director, said: “We know that there is a shortage of apprentices coming into the trade and our latest research continues to indicate that much more needs to be done to ensure that the trade attracts future talent. The research also shows the rewarding career opportunities on offer to those working in the construction trades, with an overwhelming majority recommending it as a career.” 

“While some tradespeople consider there to be barriers surrounding hiring and training apprentices, thankfully there is help and support available to overcome these. Our programme with TrAC, to provide financial funding for training apprentices, together with our annual competition, Screwfix Trade Apprentice, are just two of the tangible ways we continue to champion the trade and those working within it.” 

For more information on Screwfix Trade Apprentice competition, visit: screwfix.com/sfta  

*The Screwfix Trade Apprentice Survey was conducted in January 2023 via an online panel. Insight was gained from 390 UK tradespeople to better understand the need for skilled trade apprentices in the sector.