Apprenticeships are increasingly recognised as a key solution to addressing the skills shortages across the UK. Builder’s merchant and cheap bricks supplier Travis Perkins has shone the spotlight on trade apprenticeships and why they should appeal to those leaving school to get set up for success in life.
Fighting the Skills Shortages
According to provisional data provided by GOV.UK’s Explore Education Statistics Service, there has been an increase in those undertaking apprenticeships in England.
A total of 132,560 people started apprenticeships programmes across the country for the 2024/25 academic year between August and October 2024, which is an increase of 1.3% compared to the same period during the previous year.
In the same period, overall participation on an apprenticeship in England was also recorded at 571,630 people – up 2.1% year-on-year.
While apprenticeship numbers in general do appear to be on the rise, at least across England, more should be done to encourage people throughout the whole of the UK to take up courses tied to the construction industry.
This is after the Construction Industry Training Board estimated that the UK will require an additional 250,000 workers with construction skills by 2030. Furthermore, the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board puts this figure at 280,000.
In a NOCN Group news article which reported on these figures, the international skills charity’s Chief Executive Graham Hasting Evans said:
“The labour market continues to be challenging for employers and employees alike and high numbers of vacancies coupled with high unemployment rates suggest a severe mismatch in the training for work programme overall.
“Apprenticeships should be the route to addressing all of this, yet apprenticeship starts are lower for construction now than they were five years ago.”
Appeal of Trade Apprenticeships for Students
There are plenty of appealing aspects to encourage someone to start an apprenticeship including:
- Being able to learn valuable skills which are specific to a desired job from day one of a course
- Being able to develop skills by working alongside experienced staff
- Earning a wage, as well as receiving holiday pay
- Having the assurance that time to study will be factored into a working week
- Obtaining job-specific and nationally recognised qualifications upon completion of an apprenticeship
On the last point, and focusing in on the trade, Newcastle College has also acknowledged on its construction apprenticeships overview page that obtaining a construction qualification can open the door to at least ten career routes.
This includes construction and building trades supervisors, which have a median salary of £33,787, alongside work as a bricklayer, roofer, plasterer and more.
Students who are unsure if a career in the trade will be for them should check out the Checkatrade Get In campaign. Part of the initiative involves students being able to learn about the strengths and skills involved with being a tradesperson, in the form of an interactive quiz and content styled around popular video games.
Appeal of Trade Apprenticeships for Employers
Employers within the construction industry should consider the appeal of hiring trade apprentices too.
Travis Perkins plc’s Chief Executive Officer Nick Roberts has previously pointed out in a company press release:
“Apprenticeships are fundamental to ensuring that the industry has the skills we need to deliver on net zero, retrofitting buildings, looking after our rich built heritage in every town and city, and creating a built environment that we can all be proud of.”
Reed.co.uk’s report on the Apprentice Learner Survey, which involved more than 5,000 apprentices being questioned on their experience, includes plenty of statistics which encourages the idea that hiring apprentices can be a very wise investment as well. Eye-catching findings from the study include:
- 85% of apprentices stay in employment after completing an apprenticeship scheme, with 64% continuing their work at the same employer
- 75% of former apprentices say they were given more responsibility in their role once they were qualified
- 32% of former apprentices earned a promotion within the first 12 months of completing an apprenticeship scheme
Whether you are a prospective student or an employer, it is clear to see that there are plenty of reasons to consider apprenticeships within the construction industry.
Travis Perkins is the UK’s largest supplier of building materials to the building and construction industry.