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ScrewFix Voice of the Trade Report 2024

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  • A recent survey reveals that 75% of British tradespeople have work lined up for the next six months. However, less than 20% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were able to hire an apprentice in the past year.
  • Nearly 60% of tradespeople are worried about the rising tax burdens and the increasing administrative demands from government regulations.
  • Over half (58%) believe that the shortage of skilled labor should be a higher priority for the new Government, with 92% emphasising the need for better promotion of trade careers in schools.

A recent survey of more than 1,000 UK tradespeople shed light on the state of the trade industry, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities facing these professionals amidst a persistent skills shortage in the construction sector.

While 75% of the tradespeople surveyed have enough work to keep them busy for the next six months, the situation is far less optimistic when it comes to hiring apprentices. Only 19% of SMEs (those employing 2-5 people) and a mere 3.7% of sole traders were able to bring on an apprentice over the last year.

At the same time, tradespeople are finding it difficult to manage the demand for their services. The majority are expected to work more than five days a week for four months out of the year, and 69% report having no one to pass their business on to upon retirement. Among those over 65, 42% stated they either have no plans to retire or are unsure when they will be able to do so.

Tax increases and stricter business regulations are cited by nearly two-thirds (60%) of respondents as the main hurdles to achieving their business goals. Additionally, 58% expressed concerns about the lack of skilled labor in the construction industry, urging the new Government to prioritize this issue as part of its strategy to boost the UK's economic growth.

When discussing skills, a vast majority (92%) believe that schools should do more to encourage young people to pursue careers in trades. Furthermore, 30% noted a lack of significant initiatives in their region to promote trade professions.

To give voice to these concerns, Screwfix has released its Voice of The Trade report, which outlines the main challenges faced by those working in the industry, particularly regarding the attraction of new talent.

Drawing on the feedback gathered from the survey, the report proposes five key areas for the new Government to focus on in order to better support the trade:
  • Make business tax and regulation small business friendly.
  • Provide direct grants to SMEs to support recruitment.
  • Encourage flexibility in apprentice hiring to reflect the work tradespeople have planned via T-level placements and flexi-apprenticeships.
  • Make upskilling flexible and focused on when trades have time to train.
  • Celebrate trade apprenticeships as having the same value as a university education.

John Mewett, CEO at Screwfix, emphasized the importance of supporting tradespeople, stating, “We are passionate about supporting tradespeople and we know from speaking with them just how rewarding a career in the trade can be. As a supplier to the trade, we wanted to understand and be a voice for what tradespeople are seeking from the new Government to support their businesses, and to help more people enter the construction industry.

“The construction sector and the tradespeople within it are crucial for the upkeep of our homes, workplaces, infrastructure, and ultimately, our economy, and we need to make sure it remains strong. With the UK on course to face a shortfall of 250,000 tradespeople by 2030* and the new Government’s emphasis on driving economic growth, now is the time to support our current trade workforce as well as educate and inspire the younger generation on the significant career opportunities available.”

You can download the Screwfix Voice of The Trade report here.
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