Electricians and welders named the UK’s best trades to enter through apprenticeships
Posted by: electime 12th February 2026
Electricians and welders named the UK’s best trades to enter through apprenticeships
As the UK marks National Apprenticeship Week, new research from Yorkshire-based steelwork manufacturing and coded welding specialist Tadweld reveals the best trades to enter through apprenticeships in 2026, with electricians and welders once again leading the rankings.
The research highlights a growing divide in the UK labour market: while apprenticeships into skilled trades offer strong earnings, job security and long-term progression without university debt, the number of people training for these roles continues to decline – putting essential industries under mounting pressure.
Drawing on data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), Gov.uk, Indeed and Total Jobs, Tadweld’s analysis shows that across the top 20 trade roles, the average salary is £38,925, broadly in line with the UK median annual salary of £39,039 for full-time employees (ONS, April 2025).
This positions apprenticeships as one of the most financially viable entry routes for young people and career changers in 2026, particularly in sectors critical to infrastructure, manufacturing, defence and clean energy.
Based on 2025 earnings data and sustained demand trends, Tadweld expects the following trades to remain among the strongest options for those entering via apprenticeship:
- Electricians
- Welders
- HVAC engineers
- Lift technicians
- Renewable energy installers
Each of these roles sits at or above the UK’s median full-time salary, reinforcing apprenticeships as a respected, well-paid and future-proof career pathway.
However, despite the strong earnings outlook, the UK faces a deepening skills shortage – particularly in welding.
WorldSkills UK estimates that the country will face a shortage of more than 35,000 skilled welders by 2027.
At the same time, apprenticeship starts remain well below historic levels. Department for Education figures show there were around 170,000 fewer apprenticeship starts in 2024 than a decade earlier, while rising training costs have made it harder for employers to invest in new talent.
The apprentice National Living Wage has increased by 66% in just two years, rising from £6 per hour in 2023 to £10 per hour in 2025.
As a result, many manufacturers, particularly SMEs, are facing sharply higher training costs and are increasingly turning to international recruitment to fill gaps.
According to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the wider construction and manufacturing sector will require more than 250,000 additional workers by 2028 to meet demand.
Commenting during National Apprenticeship Week, Chris Houston, Managing Director of Tadweld, said the findings show both opportunity and risk.
“It’s encouraging to see electricians and welders leading the rankings as some of the best trades to enter through an apprenticeship. These roles offer excellent pay, long-term security and genuinely rewarding careers without the need for a degree.”
“But we’re reaching a cliff-edge moment. We’re not just struggling to attract people into the trades – we’re struggling to keep them there. Rising training costs, falling apprentice numbers and ongoing skills shortages mean experienced tradespeople are leaving just as demand peaks.”
“Attracting and retaining the next generation is existential to the UK’s ability to make things and to defend itself. Industry, education and government must work together to ensure apprenticeships remain accessible and valued, so people can build long-term careers and stay in the trades.”
Despite the challenges, Tadweld’s 2026 outlook concludes that apprenticeships remain one of the strongest routes into high-quality employment, offering:
- Competitive pay aligned with national average
- Clear progression without university debt
- Strong demand across construction, energy and manufacturing
- Opportunities to work on nationally significant projects
As National Apprenticeship Week puts a spotlight on vocational training, the research reinforces a clear message: some of the UK’s best careers in 2026 will begin with an apprenticeship – but only if the system is supported to deliver them.
For the full research and the top 20 highest-paying trades of 2026, visit:
https://tadweld.co.uk/break-the-degree-debt-cycle-lead-the-uks-39k-trade-revolution/
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