The majority (92%) of tradespeople think more can be done to encourage more people into the construction industry after 85% said there is a shortage of apprentices.
The report from Screwfix also found that, when quizzing tradespeople 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%) were also noted.
However, just 12% of respondents said they knew how to take on an apprentice, 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.
Jack Wallace, marketing director at Screwfix, 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.”
