The Trade Talent Gap: Tackling the Increasing Shortage of Trade Workers

Businesses across the country are experiencing a shortage of workers, and the trades industry is no different. According to the House of Commons, industries with the highest percentages of labour shortages were accommodation and food services (35%) and construction (21%).¹

The UK Trade Skills Index identifies that the UK would need to raise the number of qualified construction and trade apprentices by around 25,000 per year to meet demand².

Our health and safety experts at Arco surveyed 500 tradespeople to examine the reasons behind this concerning trend, reporting that almost a third (31%) are considering leaving the trades industry³.

Read on as we explore the leading factors causing dissatisfaction in the trades industry and what barriers could be discouraging new talent.

From mental health to low morale, learn more about the steps being taken to help protect the future trade workforce.

Job vacancies remain higher than pre-pandemic levels, yet labour supply is way below figures from before the pandemic.¹ Businesses are struggling to recruit skilled employees to plug this gap.

Our findings show that the age group with the highest number of tradespeople considering leaving the industry is 35 to 44 years old (42%) followed by 25 to 34 years old (31%).³ Roles with the most respondents seeking a career switch include window fabricator, bricklayer and building surveyor.

While looking for underlying factors, Arco's Trade Talent Gap research found that the most prominent challenges reported by people working in trade include:³

• Managing workloads (35%)
• Dealing with difficult clients (32%)
• Health and safety (24%)

Meanwhile, finding enough work and the physical demands of the job affected nearly a quarter (23%) of those surveyed. ³

When it comes to filling the widening trade gap, the primary barriers that deter new talent from entering the industry involve a lack of adequate training and education (33%) and opportunities for career progression (33%).³

However, low pay and mental well-being follow closely behind, with a lack of mental health support affecting the decisions of almost a quarter of trade workers (23%).³

Low pay was also cited as the second-most popular reason (26.4%)³ for workers leaving their positions, highlighting the importance of workplaces providing both adequate mental and financial support.

Experts claim that on average, we spend over a third of our lives at work⁴. It's for this reason that it's so vital for us to have a healthy work-life balance - which isn't always about dividing your time and energy 50/50. A healthy attitude to work and leisure involves feeling content with your work demands and responsibilities while also taking care of your personal needs.

Of those surveyed, 25 to 34-year-olds were the most common age group to experience work-related mental health challenges (35%).³ This cohort also believes that a lack of mental health support is one of the leading barriers discouraging new talent from entering the trade industry. The data illustrates the idea that younger demographics are perhaps more aware of different mental health issues, and more open to labelling and discussing them publicly.

No other trade roles supported this more than people working at height. Almost three-quarters of roofers (72%) and more than half of scaffolders (57%) agree that substandard mental health resources deter trade recruitment.³ This could be due to the danger involved in these higher-risk jobs, leading to heightened awareness and anxiety - which, naturally requires more substantial support from employers.

What Else Can Affect Mental Wellbeing?

One in four people in the UK will struggle with their mental health in their lives, with anxiety and depression being the most common problems⁵. Labour-intensive roles can wear on the mind as well as the body, and work-related stress can aggravate pre-existing conditions. Meanwhile, other factors such as long hours, pay dissatisfaction and a lack of work-life balance can impact staff morale and wellbeing.⁷

According to the Institute for Government, one of the main causes of staff retention issues in public service roles - including doctors, nurses and police officers - is declining morale.⁶

Much like the trades industry, managing workload is a contributing factor for low morale among front-line workers, next to staff shortages and pay.⁷

The Institute for Government states that public service effectiveness relies on keeping front-line workers skilled, motivated and in post.⁶

While more than half of trade workers (53%) enjoy working in the industry, almost one in four (23%) say it should be doing more to support mental health³ In order to close the trade talent gap, it appears we must also focus on bridging a mental health gap.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) explains that work-related stress and mental health issues must be treated as seriously as any other safety or health hazard at work⁵ This means employers are responsible for identifying mental health risks that could impact their staff and taking steps to remove or reduce it as much as reasonably practicable.

The UK government recognises the necessary work to support trade workers and boost the construction and trade industry to meet demand.

Skills England

The government has launched a new body, Skills England, to help mend the gap in skilled workers.⁸

With hopes to boost national ambition to work in skilled roles, the organisation aims to help provide government-funded training to learners and employers. It will also focus on a brand-new strategy for post-16 education to help encourage opportunities in the skilled workforce.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said "Employers want to invest in their workers but for too long have been held back from accessing the training they need.⁸

In her statement, she references the "fragmented and broken" skills system, and notes the importance of growing the economy⁸, suggesting the significance of providing adequate resources and funding to trades employers.

Working Minds

Meanwhile, the construction industry pledges to target work-related stress and endorse positive mental health practices by joining the Working Minds campaign.

Run by the HSE, Working Minds is collaborating with six new partners in the construction industry to provide free mental health support:

• Contract Flooring Association (CFA)
• Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE)
• Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA)
• National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC)
• Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA)
• National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC)

Part of their commitment to the campaign includes following the five steps for mental health risk assessment:

1. Reach out
2. Recognise signs and causes
3. Respond to risks
4. Reflect on actions
5. Routine

Physical and mental health must be treated with equal importance.¹⁰ Employers in the trade industry have a legal duty of care to protect employees' health, safety, and wellbeing by:

• Providing a safe working environment
• Protecting staff from discrimination
• Conducting risk assessments

The HSE offers mental health advice for line managers and support for employees struggling with their mental health. You can also take Mental Health First Aid training courses to learn how to support employees and spot signs of someone struggling with mental health issues.

In some cases, reasonable adjustments can be made to support employees, such as rearranging their workload or letting them take more breaks.¹⁰ It's also notable that many trades workers are often self-employed. This could mean many contractors and employers may not feel obliged to provide or recognise the adequate support needed.

When asked what advice trade workers would give to others in their industry, most people recommended staying updated with industry standards and certificates and learning to manage finances.³

At Arco, we care deeply about protecting workers from all types of risks and problems. Wellbeing is about more than simply looking out for your physical safety. It also includes your mental health, emotional wellbeing, confidence and security.

Earlier this year, we partnered with the Mental Health Foundation to donate 10% of all profits from the sales of our Arco brand hard hats.

Learn more about our corporate social responsibility initiatives and browse our range of Arco Safety Helmets.

1. House of Commons
2. The UK Trade Skills Index 2023

Trade Talent Gap Survey. Research conducted by The Leadership Factor with 500 tradespeople in the UK in September 2024.

3. One third of your life is spent at work
4. Mental health conditions, work and the workplace
5. Retention in public services
6. Public sector morale is in decline
7. Skills England to transform opportunities and drive growth
8. HSE builds construction support to protect workers' mental health
9. Supporting mental health at work
10. Arco Partners with Mental Health Foundation to Protect Heads 'inside and out'