More than 3 in 10 have considered moving industries to become a tradesperson (Image: Draper Tools)
Almost half of young people see becoming a tradesperson as a quicker way to earn £100k than going to university, with many hoping it will help them to buy a house sooner. Young people are also worried about the impact of AI on their future careers, making a career in the trades more attractive to the next generation.
A poll of 2,000 adults under 28 revealed just 19% think opting for a university degree instead of an apprenticeship was a good idea. More than a third of those polled are keen to avoid mounting student debt, while 40% think an apprenticeship is a better option.
Read more: Number 1 trade to keep you fit revealed – as painters and decorators rank last
Read more: 15 high paying jobs you don’t need a degree for – and you could get £30 an hour
Sarah Hartland from Draper Tools, which commissioned the research, said: “It’s fascinating to understand young people’s views on going into the trade.
“With such high university fees and interest rates, there is a growing number of young people looking at apprenticeships as the best way forward for them.
“While everyone should follow the career path that’s right for them, we know that there are critical skills shortages in many trades, so this current interest may turn out to be a real positive for the future of the UK’s construction sector.”
Nearly half of men (46%) and over a quarter of women (28%) have considered switching industries and becoming a tradesperson.
Meanwhile, one in four would rather work in a hands-on role than be sat at a desk, research from OnePoll.com found. Thirty five per cent like to learn practical skills, 33% believe there’s a better work-life balance and 26% enjoy a sense of pride in creating or fixing something.
One in four would rather work in a hands-on role than be sat at a desk (Image: Draper Tools)
Over 60% think working in a trade is a “cool job”, with 55% saying their perception of manual careers is more positive than five years ago. More than half of people polled believe working within one is better for personal mental health than working from a desk, with 26% also thinking tradespeople have more fun than office workers.
Beyond the financial benefits and fun, worries about AI were another factor for young people, with 33% saying recent advances in AI have made them consider a career in the trades. The most common tradie jobs people would join if they were to move industries are painting and decorating (32%), electrical (20%) and landscaping (20%).
Fifty three per cent believe they will be able to buy a home faster if they become a tradie than if they go to university, with 32 per cent keen to start earning money soon. It also emerged just 14% of those polled own their home, with 39% living with their parents. Worryingly, 29% of university students would change their decision to join higher education if they could go back in time.
Sarah Hartland, of Draper Tools, added: “Young people have an increasingly positive perception of working in a trade. In an era of screen fatigue and rising burnout, it’s easy to understand the growing appeal of hands-on roles that potentially offer a different work-life balance.
“With the right tools and support, joining a trade can be a very fulfilling and rewarding career path, so we’re glad to see the awareness of this growing.”