Trade Skills Shortages in the UK

At Access Training we get asked many questions, but many people ask us about the trade skills shortages in particular: A) Yes, there are trade skills shortages in Plumbing, Electrical, Gas and Construction. There has been a huge problem in the UK for many years – there simply aren’t enough trained and qualified people to carry out the amount of work so trade skills shortages definitely about exist. In fact there are over 86,000 new tradesmen needed every year.

But don’t just take our word for it regarding trade skills shortages: Speaking after her inauguration as the first female President of the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) earlier this year, Diane Johnson gave a stark warning about the trade skills shortages in the UK:

“All too often the valuable role of our tradespeople is ignored. When we are no longer able to call on a qualified electrician, plumber or joiner, for example, to carry out essential work in our homes and businesses, because they are in such short supply, it will be too late. I worry about what the landscape will look like in 10 years...” A) Yes, average earnings in Plumbing, Electrical and Gas are far higher than many other sectors including the Public Sector and Retail as examples. A) Yes, the opportunities are vast in the Plumbing, Electrical and Construction sectors with many going on to secure rewarding careers and due to the number of trade skills shortages some go on to set up there own successful business and get the lifestyle and career they have always wanted.

Dianne Johnson also said, “What people often forget is that qualified tradespeople will often go on to set up their own businesses and become employers themselves. Without this natural pattern of events taking place the future looks very bleak.”

In summary, you could say that due to the trade skills shortages it would be a mistake to consider training for another industry. Some areas have no shortages and no future prospects, so if you are considering this avenue then you have certainly made the right choice.

In fact, if you are looking for a secure, long term future career in an industry where future growth and demand is assured... then you should be looking at the electrical, plumbing or construction industry. Not only are there trade skills shortages, but there is also a huge variety of trades to choose from within this sector.

Let Access Training help you decide which course and career path is the best one for you. Call us today and we’ll tell you more about the current trade skills shortages and how you should regard this as an opportunity.

Electrical Courses in support of Trade Skills Shortages- Click Here
City & Guilds and EAL accredited courses allowing you to help fill the trade skills shortages and install & test your own electrical work plus courses allowing you to test, inspect and/or design electrical schemes.

Plumbing Courses in support of Trade Skills Shortages - Click Here
City & Guilds and EAL accredited courses that give the opportunity to reverse the trade skills shortages that include everything from designing and installing a replacement bathroom through to NVQ 2 qualification in domestic plumbing.

Gas Courses in support of Trade Skills Shortages - Click Here
NICEIC accredited courses that to help fill the trade skills shortages that includes fault finding and installing cookers, fires, boilers, gas meters and leads to Gas Safe registration.

Bricklaying Courses in support of Trade Skills Shortages - Click Here
Professional City & Guilds and CAA qualifications that include cavity wall construction, 100mm & 225mm walling.

Carpentry Courses in support of Trade Skills Shortages - Click Here
City & Guilds and CAA qualifications in roofing, flooring, first & second fix, to help fill the trade skills shortages in carpentry.

Plastering Courses in support of Trade Skills Shortages - Click Here
Professional City & Guilds and CAA qualifications that give the opportunity to reverse the trade skills shortages include skimming, rendering plus floors and ceilings.

Roofing Courses in support of Trade Skills Shortages - Click Here
Professional joinery training including setting out trusses, slating and Velux window fitting.

Tiling Courses in support of Trade Skills Shortages - Click Here
City & Guilds, CAA and BAL accredited courses for professional training in ceramic tiling giving the opportunity to reverse the trade skills shortages and become a tiller.