36 | MARCH 2022
Skills
Tradespeople say apprentices are the future of the industry but only a fifth hire one
Apprentices are crucial to tackle the skills shortage , the new research from omnichannel retailer Screwfix has revealed .
9 in 10 tradespeople questioned agreed that apprentices are vital to the future of the industry , but only 18 % currently hire one , and 31 % said they would never hire one , highlighting a huge shortage of future tradespeople having the chance to learn a trade .
Not being able to afford extra costs such as insurance and pensions ( 19 %), and not having enough support from grants ( 13 %) are cited as the key barriers tradespeople face when trying to get an apprentice on their payroll .
Other reasons included not having time to train an apprentice , and not knowing how to even go about recruiting one .
However , with 31 % having previously employed an apprentice and currently considering hiring another one , there are likely to be opportunities for apprentices to find a placement in the future .
Additionally , of the 18 % who currently hire an apprentice , 73 % say they would hire another in the future , recognising the added value young tradespeople can bring to a company .
Simon Jackson , Screwfix Customer and Digital Director says : “ The fact is that there is a real shortage of tradespeople in the UK . And , as our research shows its clear just how vital apprentices are to future-proof the industry .
“ Our skilled tradespeople tell us there is a lot to be gained from a career in the industry , so every year we launch this competition to highlight the future champions of the trade and throw a spotlight on what a brilliant and rewarding career path it can be . Tradespeople are essential to the economy , and we need to ensure every trade has a future .”
The survey suggested that businesses employ apprentices to create a sustainable talent pipeline , to pass skills on to a new generation , and to give people an opportunity to start out .
Tradespeople cited that to be successful in the trade , the key skills needed
include being honest ( 89 %), being adaptable ( 88 %), and being a good timekeeper ( 82 %). Being skilled ( 79 %) and being a people-person ( 66 %) were also essential to doing well .
9 in10
tradespeople say apprentices are vital to the future of the industry
19 %
of tradespeople cited not being able to afford extra costs a key barrier to taking on an apprentice
With 8 in 10 tradespeople recommending a career in the trade due to no two days being the same ( 79 %), seeing satisfied customers ( 72 %), and being your own
Proud sponsor of the PRO Skills feature
Apprentices are future of industry say tradespeople but only a fifth hire one
of tradespeople currently hire
18 % 31 % an apprentice of tradespeople say they will never hire an apprentice
boss ( 58 %), there is plenty to encourage people to consider learning a trade by doing an apprenticeship .
Screwfix . com / sfta
31 %
of tradespeople have previously employed an apprentice and are considering hiring another one
GGF ’ S BEEDEL ADDRESSES MINISTER AT NATIONAL APPRENTICE WEEK LAUNCH
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Chris Beedel , Director of Government Advocacy for the Glass & Glazing Federation ( GGF ) addressed a kick-off event organised by the National Home Improvement Council ( NHIC ) for the launch of National Apprentice Week , which was attended by Department for Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy ( BEIS ) Minister Lee Rowley MP .
The NHIC is the umbrella organisation for the UK , repair , maintenance and home improvement sector , for which the GGF is a member organisation representing the interests of the replacement window , door and related products industry . Chris Beedel , who
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represents the glass and glazing industry to Government departments and other stakeholders , was one of several speakers invited to address the event .
Chris used the opportunity to highlight the newly launched GGF Apprenticeship Scheme , with the first cohort of apprentices due to start in April 2022 . The GGF Apprenticeship has been designed to overcome the barriers seen in attracting apprentices to national schemes , such as a required A-C grade at GCSE in Maths and English .
The GGF Apprenticeship Pilot Scheme allows for an initial 20 apprentices to be placed with GGF members and the GGF will cover 50 % of their external
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training provider cost of £ 4,000 , the other 50 % being covered by the GGF member . Sanitaryware manufacturer Ideal Standard hosted the launch of National Apprentice |
Week , which runs from 7th – 13th February and for which the aim is to promote and celebrate the value , benefit , and opportunity that apprenticeships bring . The theme |
for NAW22 is “ Build the Future ” and Minister for Industry Lee Rowley MP chose to open the week by meeting apprentices from the home improvement sector , seen as being key to the government ’ s “ build back better ” and “ levelling up ” campaigns . The Minister met apprentices from all parts of the repair , maintenance and home improvements sectors and said : “ It ’ s encouraging to hear the positive stories from these apprentices , but I am acutely aware of the need to increase capacity in the home improvement sector and am looking forward to working with the NHIC and its members to find ways of doing just that .” |
Afterwards Chris Beedel commented : “ It is crucial that we are able to ensure that the voice of the Glazing industry is communicated to government ministers and other influential partner organisations . This is especially important with the government ’ s commitment towards Net Zero and the increased role that our industry can play in that .
“ We also need to encourage apprenticeships in our industry as a key means of resolving the skills shortage that is hampering so many businesses , especially as demand for glass and glazing products continues so strongly ,” added Chris .
www . ggf . org . uk
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