Why you should consider a trade as a career change

Whether you’re relatively new to the world of work or have decided it’s time for a fresh challenge in your professional life, there is a long list of reasons why right now, in particular, a career in the trades is such an appealing prospect regardless of your age and past experience. 

Earlier this year, demand for construction workers hit a 20-year high, with 43,000 unfilled roles being posted In the rolling three months from July to September. Following on from that trend, according to a forecast by the Construction Skills Network (CSN), 216,800 new construction workers will be required by 2025.

Surging demand and job security 

Given the ongoing shortage of skilled tradespeople right across the UK, an issue which has been amplified by the loss of EU workers due to Brexit, those who do hold the relevant qualifications are in an incredibly strong position when it comes to seeking work. 

Skilled tradespeople have traditionally enjoyed a good element of job security, given that their expertise will always be required. Houses will always need to be built, plumbing will always be a necessity and electricity is obviously a huge part of our everyday lives. However, given the current surging demand, that security, particularly in a post-pandemic world, is even greater and more valuable.

Since the end of the first UK lockdown in July 2020, demand for trade services has boomed. According to the BigChange State of the Field Service Sector report, three-quarters of trade businesses saw demand increase in the year leading up to July 2021, while almost one in five took on more than double the work they did in the 12 months previous. 

The impact on earning potential 

Further research from Direct Line Business Insurance found that 82% of tradespeople have seen an increase in earnings following the most recent UK lockdown beginning in January 2021. That salary jump has proved sizable for many, with 33% seeing their income rise between 11% and 20%.

That same research suggests there is notable longevity to the demand, with one in ten reporting being fully booked up for the next six months. 

Turning a passion into a profession

A high level of job satisfaction is another big USP that comes with a trade career. A survey carried out by Selco found that 73% of tradespeople are happy with their job, significantly higher than comparable ratings which place overall UK job satisfaction between 41% and 65%.

To many, a career in trade is essentially a chance to turn something they may have a knack for, things like painting & decorating, carpentry or general home improvements, into a genuine profession with high earning potential. There’s also the realistic opportunity to transform that passion into running your very own business, another big factor that makes this such an attractive career path. 

Before you decide to make the switch, it’s important to fully research what qualifications you’ll need to safely, and legally carry out work in your chosen trade. It’s also advisable to research the kind of costs involved, and the time it will take to complete the necessary training. 

At Able Skills, we have a range of beginners courses on offer that cover all the major trade industries. These have all been designed by experts in each field, who truly understand what is required to get your career off to the best possible start. 

If you’ve decided you want to make the switch to a career in trade, or are debating the idea and need a little more information and advice, our friendly team would be happy to help. Give us a call on 01322 280 202, request a brochure or pop into our training centre for a chat.