New research shows public feel trade skills should be more valued by society
Posted by: electime 9th February 2023
- In a YouGov poll of 2,000 parents, 84 per cent of parents also believe that construction skills (such as building, plumbing, electrical and other trades) should be more valued by society
- 80 per cent believe an apprenticeship is better or equal value for money compared to a university degree
- The free-to-use, Government-backed website Talentview Construction has listed more than 13,200 early careers vacancies since its launch.
Apprentices Dante and Ashley
More than three quarters of parents believe that construction skills should be more valued by society.
New research among 2,000 parents across the UK, carried out by YouGov last week for early careers platform Talentview Construction, has revealed that that 84 per cent of parents believe that construction skills (such as building, plumbing, electrical and other trades) should be more valued by society.
The research was conducted as part of Talentview Construction’s wider campaign to encourage parents to talk to their children about pursuing a career in construction. The results also showed that 80% of parents believe an apprenticeship provides better (52 per cent ) or equal (28 per cent ) value for money compared to a degree.
Construction apprenticeships will play a key role in helping to close the industry skills gap. The latest figures from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) estimate that 224,900 extra workers will be needed to meet UK construction demand by 2027 as the industry recovers from this year’s expected recession. That equates to 44,980 new workers every year between now and 2027.
The CITB also reported that in 2021/2022 there were more than 37,000 starts on construction apprenticeships, which – if these numbers stay consistent and all apprentices stay within the industry – could account for 82 per cent of that yearly target.
New entrants into the industry – like Dante Duhaney, an apprentice electrician based in London – are using apprenticeships to equip themselves with both the skills and experience they need for a career in construction. Dante is currently studying for a Level 3 electrician and maintenance electrician apprenticeship, which is a three-and-a-half-year course, while working at Blues Electrical/ Watkins Jones.
“I chose to do an apprenticeship because I wanted to better myself and increase my chances of getting a job. Once I started college, I realised I definitely wanted to work in the construction industry,” says Dante.
“Personally, I think an apprenticeship is a better option than going to university, but I guess it depends on what you are studying and how you prefer to learn. The best part is that all of the experience and knowledge, and getting a qualification once I’ve completed my apprenticeship, can help you get ahead.”
Christian Warden, engagement director at Talentview Construction, believes that it isn’t just the responsibility of specialist colleges to promote careers in construction and that more needs to be done to showcase all the available opportunities.
Christian says:
“The skills that are acquired through doing an apprenticeship can set someone up for life. Construction touches all parts of our lives without people even realising, so we need secondary schools to do more to show students just how many opportunities construction – and apprenticeships – can present them.
“From an industry perspective, the ongoing skills shortage isn’t going to be an easy problem to solve and construction needs to work even harder to encourage people to choose this sector over others. Apprenticeships provide a practical solution to bring new talent into the industry as well as opportunities for existing staff to upskill and develop their careers at any age.”
Talentview Construction is a Government-backed platform, supported by CITB industry levy-funding, that was created to provide a single place for people to find early careers opportunities in construction while helping employers to find the skills they need.
Together with complementary sites like CITB’s Go Construct, Talentview Construction is helping to create a ‘one stop shop’ sector talent hub for the attraction and development of people and skills within construction and the built environment, as part of the Government’s broader support to business on skills.
Since its launch in September 2021, more than 13,200 early careers vacancies have been advertised via the site.
For more information on Talentview Construction visit: https://talentview.org/construction
