Skilled trades must go digital to attract the worker of the future, says 3M
Posted by: electime 25th August 2022
The British public respects and values skilled tradespeople, finds 3M’s 2022 State of Science Index (SOSI). However, 76% of people across the UK are not attracted to pursue a trade career themselves, while 1 in 10 (11%) of Britons say that they were dissuaded from pursuing a skilled trade because they do not see career growth. The survey which explores global attitudes toward science is now in its fifth year.
An outmoded perception of trades
While 93% of the British public believe that the workforce needs more skilled workers, such as plumbers, electricians and carpenters, there is a lack of understanding when it comes to the opportunities on offer for those that take up a skilled trade. Addressing this understanding is critical with the ongoing skills shortage hampering employers in the UK.
It is not as clear cut as there being less economic incentive – 74% of the British public believe they would earn the same in a trade as in a career requiring a university degree, slightly higher than the 71% global average. British people’s reticence to take up a trade seems to correlate to a widespread misunderstanding of the progression of a trade career, and how the digital skills required in other industries come into play.
The STEM/Digital divide
With 45% of Britons concerned that they lack the digital skills to keep a job in the current market, it is clear that technology is a core component of the skilled trade sector. Tradespeople are required to embrace digital solutions for monitoring, implementing and performing remote maintenance on a daily basis.
“The skilled trade economy, like all industries is being transformed by the latest technological innovations and there is an opportunity for the digitally savvy trade worker to thrive,” said Sarah Chapman, technical leader at 3M. “This data shows that trade schools, apprenticeship schemes and trade employers must do more to ensure vocational training and opportunities meet the demands of the modern world. We must bring the world of STEM and skilled trades together”.
Creating Opportunities
To address the need for more skilled tradespeople in society, 3M has committed to creating 5 million unique STEM and skilled trade roles through its Skilled Trades partnerships. This also includes ‘reverse mentoring’, which sees Gen Z workers help to upskill older employees on digital competencies. To continue growing the respect and attraction of skilled trades jobs, training schemes must put STEM at the heart of this sector.
