Apprenticeships and careers in the trade are increasingly being seen as the way forward by young people, according to new research by Draper Tools.
The survey of 2,000 adults under 28 years of age found that almost half of young people see becoming a tradesperson as a quicker way to earn £100,000 than going to university.
A total of 53% said they believe becoming a tradesperson will allow them to buy a home quicker.
The research found that 15% think higher education will help them get on the property ladder quicker than doing an apprenticeship. A further 19% think opting for university instead of an apprenticeship is a good idea. It also revealed that 34% have considered moving industries to become a tradesperson.
For those in the poll who had attended university, 29% said they would change their decision to join higher education if they could go back in time.
A total of 35% said their main reason for choosing a trade over university is higher earning potential. A further 34% cited avoiding student debt and 32% noted an ability to start earning sooner.
Research from OnePoll.com found that one in four would rather work in a hands-on role than be sat at a desk, with 41% preferring to be active while work.
Aside from the money, 35% said they like to learn practical skills, 33% believe there’s a better work-life balance and 26% said they enjoy a sense of pride in creating or fixing something.
Worries about AI are another a factor for young people, as a third said recent advances in AI have made them consider a career in the trade.
The study revealed that 61% think working in a trade is a “cool job” and 55% said their perception of being a tradesperson is more positive than five years ago. A third of young people also felt that working in a trade is something to be proud of.
Social media influencers and TV shows were cited as one of the reasons behind the increased appeal of working in the trade. The findings revealed that 55% believe working within a trade is better for personal mental health than working from a desk. Over a quarter think tradespeople have more fun on the job than office workers.
The most common trades people would join if they were to move industries are painting and decorating, at 32%, electrical, at 20%, and landscaping, at 20%.
The research was commissioned by Draper Tools as part of the launch of DXPulse, a new brushless 12V cordless power range. The company stated that it is designed to appeal to the new generation of apprentices and trades.
Sarah Hartland, head of marketing, said: “The trade industry is in the midst of a generational shift, with interest in apprenticeships rising and Gen Z starting to favour hands-on careers over traditional university debt. As part of developing DXPulse, wanted to understand young people’s motivations and find out what the next generation of tradespeople really think.
“This current interest from young people could turn out to be very significant for the future of the UK construction sector, so we feel it’s important to provide the right support for them. Just over a quarter of young people told us there was a real need for good quality power tools that were also affordable – with DXPulse, we’re aiming to meet that need.”
