On World Youth Skills Day, NAPIT reminds us Why English and Maths are Vital to Your Future Career as a Tradesperson
Posted by: electime 15th July 2026
July 15, marks World Youth Skills Day, which celebrates the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship.
The 2026 theme is ‘Skills for a shared future’ aiming to answer a pivotal question: “What will it take to equip every young person with the competencies they need to thrive in a shared future?”
Whether you aim to be an electrician, plumber or work in the construction industry, maths and English play a vital role in your future career as a tradesperson.
Most apprenticeships, T levels and A levels, training providers and employers usually require a specific number of GCSEs which includes English and Maths. Having the key skills is essential as you transition from school leaver and take positive steps towards becoming a tradesperson.
Technical Training Manager, Jonathan Hallam said: “Maths and English are vital. Why? Because it enables you to enter the industry and go higher up. Maths and English are used for everyday purposes in this industry, including understanding manufacturer’s instructions, key maths formulas such as Ohm’s Law and communicating with customers.”
A key part of electrical engineering is Ohm’s Law. This is where your vital maths skills come into play. Ohm’s Law is widely used, for example it helps in calculating the current, voltage, or resistance in electrical circuits.
Furthermore, if you are thinking about becoming a heating engineer. Another example where strong maths skills are required, when heat loss calculations are needed to estimate how much heat is lost from a room or building and ensure the correct heating solution is installed.
English skills are just as important throughout a tradesperson’s career. Whether you’re communicating verbally with customers to explain work and answer questions, writing clear quotations, reports and certificates, or understanding manufacturers’ instructions and building regulations such as BS 7671.
These skills help you work professionally, avoid misunderstandings and build trust with your customers/clients.
Jonathan continued: “Knowledge builds trust and trust builds reputation, and these are all the ingredients you need to progress in life.”
NAPIT works with a number of colleges and organisations in the UK through its initiative, NAPIT Foundation, supporting apprentices, students and lecturers. NAPIT Foundation is a free membership that provides a strong foundation to both students and lecturers with expert technical support and resources.
The initiative also aims to assist with both the practical and theoretical aspects of training. NAPIT Foundation members can access educational resources, technical guidance, CPD opportunities, and regular industry updates.
Technical and Commercial Director, Brett Forster said: “NAPIT are proud to support World Youth Skills Day 2026. We recognise the importance of World Youth Skills Day and hope to encourage more young people to seek learning opportunities to grow their skills and remind them that English and maths are vital skills to have throughout all job roles in the industry.”
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