There’s a current shortage of plumbers, electricians and carpenters, so becoming a skilled tradesperson could be a wise move!
If you’ve ever had difficulty finding a reliable person to carry out work on your home, you’ll be aware of the current skills shortage among trades in the UK.
The lack of electricians, carpenters, plasterers and plumbers is exacerbated by the government drive to build more homes to make up for the current housing shortage. And with more workers from the EU leaving the UK due to Brexit uncertainty, it’s a shortage that looks set to continue.
Training as a tradesperson could be a canny career move. And it’s one that’s open to everyone. Although trade organisation Women on the Tools estimates that only 1% of the skilled trades workforce is made up of women, there’s some evidence that more are choosing to go down this career route, not least because of the flexible hours being self-employed can afford.
Many tradespeople work full-time for main contractors or specialist firms or, with experience, choose to become self-employed. Roles range from working on new buildings to the maintenance of existing ones, either alone or as part of a team, which may also involve working alongside other skilled occupations.
Opportunities Galore
Whether you choose to train as a carpenter, plasterer or electrician, the chances are that work opportunities will be bountiful for years to come, with the possibility of starting your own business or moving into project management with more experience.
There are no set entry requirements to train as a skilled tradesperson, although GCSEs in maths, English and technology will be helpful for the calculations, measurements and theory. New entrants to the industry tend to train on the job, often through an apprenticeship.
Some tradespersons, such as electricians and carpenters, also need to study for professional qualifications, which can be undertaken on the job. Full- and part-time trade courses are available at colleges where you can work towards NVQs Levels 2 and 3. You’ll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme card to work on a building site.
Carpenter
As a “chippy”, you could find yourself doing everything from making and fitting interiors in shops, bars, restaurants, offices and public buildings to constructing stage sets for theatre, film and TV productions.
Making and assembling fitted and free-standing furniture, installing kitchens, cupboards and shelving or cutting and shaping timber for floorboards, doors, skirting boards and window frames, making and fitting wooden structures such as staircases, door frames, roof timbers and partition walls, and building temporary wooden supports to hold setting concrete in place (shuttering) are other common tasks in a trade that often requires a certain amount of creative flair.
What qualifications do I need? You can take a college course in joinery or carpentry with or without taking an apprenticeship. Employers usually look for some on-site experience and qualifications, but you can start as a joiner’s mate or labourer to get the former. Once you’re working, your employer may offer on-the-job training.
How much can I earn? Starting salaries are between £16,000 and £24,000, while experienced chippies can earn £25,000 to £40,000, or more for the highly skilled.
Electrician
Whether bringing power to people’s homes or big engineering projects, electricians work with everything from renewable technology such as wind turbines and solar panels to smart heating systems. There are numerous roles open to qualified electricians. Installation electricians install power systems, lighting, fire protection, security and data-network systems in all types of buildings, while maintenance electricians check systems to make sure they’re working efficiently and safely.
An electro-technical panel builder, meanwhile, makes and fits control panels to operate the electrical systems inside buildings, while machine repair and rewind electricians fix and maintain motors and transformers. Highway systems electricians install and maintain street lighting and traffic management systems.
What qualifications do I need? You’ll need to complete a Level 3 electrical or electro-technical qualification while you’re working in a related job. A common way to get into this trade is through an apprenticeship. Taking a Level 1 or Level 2 qualification in electrical installation may help you to find an apprenticeship or get a trainee position.
How much can I earn? Newly qualified electricians earn between £18,000 and £23,000 a year, which can rise to between £25,000 and £35,000 with experience. Highly experienced electricians can earn £42,000 or more.
Plumber
Installing, servicing and repairing heating, water and sanitation systems in domestic and commercial premises forms the basis of a plumber’s job. Day-to-day tasks may include finding and fixing faults with water, drainage and heating systems, servicing gas and oil-fired central heating systems, installing and fixing domestic appliances such as showers and washing machines, and dealing with emergency call-outs for boiler breakdowns or blocked drains.
What qualifications do I need? Getting a plumbing job through an apprenticeship will allow you to study for an industry-recognised qualification such as a Level 2 or 3 diploma in domestic plumbing and heating. You’ll also need gas-related units at Level 3 to work with domestic gas heating systems. Taking a college course in plumbing skills will set you up for a trainee position with a company.
How much can I earn? Salaries start at £15,000 to £20,000, rising to £20,000 to £28,000 with experience. Those who are highly experienced can earn more than £40,000.
Plasterer
Types of plastering include solid plastering (applying wet finishes to surfaces and putting protective coverings such as pebble-dash on external walls) to fibrous plastering (creating ornamental plasterwork such as ceiling roses, cornices and architraves) and dry lining (fixing internal plasterboard or wallboard partitions).
Whether working on big commercial projects or in a domestic environment on new or existing homes, plasterers need the ability to work out surface area measurements and volumes of materials.
What qualifications do I need? There are no set requirements, but employers will look for experience. You can get this as a plasterer’s assistant and train on the job. Another route in is to do a college course in plastering.
How much can I earn? Salaries start at £14,000 to £18,000, rising to £25,000 with experience.
