Research Reveals Alarming Shortage of Tradespeople and Record-High Vacancy Levels
The UK is facing a shortage of skilled tradespeople like plumbers and carpenters, which could result in a staggering cost of £12 billion per year, according to a study by Kingfisher. The research highlights a current shortage of 166,000 tradespeople, with vacancy levels reaching record highs. The situation is expected to worsen in the next decade, with numbers projected to reach 250,000 as more homeowners plan to make their homes energy-efficient by installing insulation, heat pumps, and solar panels.
Electricians, Plumbers, and Carpenters Among the Most Impacted
The greatest shortages are expected among electricians, plumbing and heating installers, and carpenters or joiners. The East and West Midlands are the regions most affected by the shortfall, with experts predicting numbers could rise to 35,000. As a result, the UK's economic growth is likely to decline, and the GDP could be reduced by £14.5 billion and £12.1 billion, respectively, by 2030.
Lack of Awareness and Gender Divide
A survey of 1,000 people aged 16-25 revealed that over half were never encouraged to consider a trade career or provided with information about it during their time in school. Furthermore, 49% of young people admitted to never having considered a career in the trades. However, looking back, 42% of respondents said they would have liked more information about trade roles before deciding on their career path.
The study also highlighted a significant gender divide, with only 35% of young women having considered a career in the trades compared to 60% of young men. Currently, women make up just 2% of the UK's 900,000 tradespeople. However, increasing the number of women in trades to one-third of the current number of men could solve the projected shortage by 2030 and boost growth by over £800 million per year.
Impacts on Projects and Perceptions
A separate survey of 2,000 adults revealed that tradesperson shortages are already having an impact across the country. One in five respondents had to cancel or postpone a project in the last five years due to the inability to find a suitable tradesperson. Over a third of respondents believe that young people are discouraged from considering a trade career, with parents, schools, and the government cited as the main sources of discouragement. Many parents believe that a focus on academic career paths in schools is deterring children from considering trade careers.
Encouraging Young People and Addressing the Issue
Thierry Garnier, CEO of Kingfisher, emphasized the importance of encouraging and supporting more young people to consider trade roles, particularly young women who are significantly underrepresented. He highlighted the vital role that tradespeople play in the economy and society, from improving and maintaining homes to installing energy efficiency measures. Garnier called for collaboration between businesses and the government to maximize the UK's growth and achieve net-zero goals over the next decade.
This study was commissioned by B&Q and Screwfix, in partnership with economics consultancy Cebr.
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