Pro Installer February 2018 - Issue 59 | Page 46

46 | FEBRUARY 2018 Recruitment Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk TRADESPEOPLE STRUGGLE TO RECRUIT UK tradespeople are optimistic about the future, with 82% expecting business activity to remain at the same level or grow over the next 12 months. Additionally, nearly half (45%) report being busier than last year. ducted by trade retailer, Screwfix, has revealed the majority (57%) are reporting difficulties in recruiting staff to support them. This is primarily due to: • a lack of focus on en- couraging new people to train in the trades • not enough local skilled tradespeople • too much red tape. For those who struggle to recruit skilled employees, more than one third (37%) believe it is because ap- prenticeships are not given the same level of respect as a university education. Furthermore, 31% say poor public perception of a career in the trade means school leavers are not inter- ested in pursuing a future in construction. The research, conducted as part of Screwfix Trade Pulse*, a monthly index of more than 500 UK trades- people, also revealed strong work levels across the trade at the moment, as nearly one fifth (18%) of trades- people has more work than they can handle and 40% are quoting for more jobs than 12 months ago. Nearly all (94%) trades- people said they would recommend a career in the trade and of the reasons why, 85% say they have a strong sense of achievement when a job is done and, 80% enjoy seeing the results of their hard work. More than half (57%) of those surveyed said they started as apprentices and, when it comes to increasing the numbers undertaking trade apprenticeships, more than one third (35%) be- lieve greater focus is need- ed on vocational education in schools. More than one quarter (26%) believe improved awareness about the opportunities offered by a career in the trade would drive greater uptake of apprenticeships, with 19% saying that reducing red tape for employers look- ing to hire an apprentice should be considered. The research also looked at views around those en- tering construction at a later stage in their careers. The significant majority (82%) of tradespeople think more could be done to attract people to the trade further into their working lives. More than two thirds (69%) think increasing awareness of the opportunities availa- ble would help attract peo- ple into the trade and 61% believe greater knowledge of the support available to retrain is also crucial. Graham Bell, CEO of Screwfix, comments: “When we speak to tradespeople across our 546 stores, they reflect what these findings show us. Tradespeople tell us they have full work diaries but, many struggle to recruit skilled employees when looking to support their growing business