Tools of the Trade: The Tradesperson Report
Electricians, plumbers, carpenters and more make up the growing UK construction trade industry. And as of 2023, 2.1 million of the UK workforce currently work in construction. On top of this, new figures show that around 225,000 extra workers will be needed by 2027 to meet growing industry demands.
With recruitment, training, and development remaining major priorities for the sector, we’ve conducted a new report, looking into the state of the UK’s trade industry. The research has revealed where in the UK offers the most opportunities for skilled workers, what the most in demand construction jobs are, the best routes into the industry, as well as where the skills gaps may lie.
As the construction sector has the highest number of self-employed workers in the UK and accounts for 21% of sole traders that bank with Monzo Business, we've taken a look at the opportunities available in the sector and where the skills gaps may lie.
Powys is the UK authority with the highest percentage of skilled workers
What is a skilled worker? We’ve used the ONS definition for our research, which is “an occupation which requires a substantial period of training, often provided through a work-based training programme, such as an apprenticeship”. These include a variety of skilled trade jobs in industries such as: construction and building, food preparation and hospitality, and agriculture.
Wales comes out on top with the employment of skilled workers. Four of the top five UK authorities with the highest percentage of skilled workers can be found in the country. Powys takes the top spot, with 9.2% of the population employed in a skilled trade, closely followed by the Isles of Scilly (9.1%) and Ceredigion (7.6%).
In particular, the Welsh construction industry has been growing at a rapid rate. Recent government data shows that the sector has seen a 26% increase in output since June 2022, while the UK construction industry as a whole has only seen a growth of 6%. So, if you’re a skilled worker looking for more opportunities, you might do well to head to Wales.
Electricians are the most in demand construction trade within the UK
To find out which construction trades are experiencing high demand and growth in the UK, we looked at average annual Google Searches for the different trades, as well as current job vacancies for the roles. These two metrics were then given an overall score for each trade to determine the top 20.
Electricians have topped the list as the most in demand construction trade in the UK with over 1.6 million searches on Google a year from the public, and 6,755 job vacancies for those looking to get into the profession. The UK public has clearly been in need of some significant electrical assistance locally this year, as the search term ‘electrician near me’ has seen a 50% increase since 2022. With high demand and a high number of vacancies unfilled, this highlights a potential skills gap within this trade.
Looking more closely at which areas of the UK have seen the biggest increase in demand for electricians, Cardiff tops the list. There has been a 310% rise in searches for electricians in the Welsh capital since 2022, demonstrating a huge surge in interest. Blackpool comes next with a 91% increase in demand, followed by Southampton with 57%.
With a yearly search volume of 2.2 million but almost three times less job vacancies available than electricians at 2,351, plumbers have come in second place. The search term ‘plumber near me’ has also seen a 23% increase since last year. In third place is carpenter, with a yearly search volume of around 631,200.
Some trades in particular have seen significant increase in demand this year. Searches for the term ‘landscaper near me’ have risen by 68% since 2022, and ‘painter and decorator’ has also seen a 50% increase.
Getting into a trade profession
With the need for construction workers growing, there are plenty of opportunities for those looking to get into the trade. We’ve researched which trades offer the most apprenticeship opportunities, and which roles might be the most lucrative.
Electrician apprenticeships are the most in demand in the construction trade industry
Given that electricians, plumbers, and carpenters are the most in demand of all tradespeople, it makes sense that apprenticeships in these fields are also the most popular. The average yearly search volume for ‘electrician apprenticeship’ is 118,800, which is up 22% since last year. This is followed by plumbers at 79,200, and carpenters at 52,800.
In terms of which trades have seen the biggest surge in interest around apprenticeships, welders have seen a 60% increase in the last year, while painter and decorators have seen a 52% increase.
As well as being the most sought after apprenticeship, the electrical industry also offers the highest number of apprenticeship opportunities (245). However, electricians do have one of the longest training periods, with an average apprenticeship in the UK taking between three and four years to complete.
Comparatively, the average length of a trade apprenticeship in the UK takes anywhere between two and four years.
The top 10 construction trades with the most apprenticeship opportunities available
The top 10 construction trades with the most apprenticeship opportunities available:
As well as being the most sought after apprenticeship, the electrical industry also offers the highest number of apprenticeship opportunities (245). However, electricians do have one of the longest training periods, with an average apprenticeship in the UK taking between three and four years to complete.
Comparatively, the average length of a trade apprenticeship in the UK takes anywhere between two and four years.
| Rank | Apprenticeships | Number of apprenticeships available | Average number of years as an apprentice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrician | 245 | 3 to 4 years |
| 2 | Road worker | 216 | 1 to 2 years |
| 3 | Carpenter | 72 | 2 to 3 years |
| 4 | Welder | 51 | 2 to 4 years |
| 5 | Painter and decorator | 40 | 2 to 3 years |
| 6 | Plumber | 35 | Up to 4 years |
| 7 | Bricklayer | 25 | 1 to 2 years |
| 8 | Scaffolder | 21 | 1 to 2 years |
| 9 | Groundworker | 20 | 1 to 2 years |
| 10 | Roofer | 19 | 1 to 2 years |
Welders have the highest starting salaries and are also the best paid trade when qualified
As an apprentice you’ll be paid the National Minimum Wage, which differs depending on your age and the year of study you’re in. Apprentices are also entitled to dedicated time for training or study, and holiday pay.
If you’re between 16 and 18, or aged 19 or over but in your first year of the apprenticeship, the current National Minimum Wage is £5.28 per hour. For those aged 19 or over who have completed their first year, you are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for your age, which is anything between £7.49 and £10.42.
In terms of which apprenticeships offer the highest starting salary, welders top the list, making an average of £22,000 per year. This is followed by plasterers and scaffolders, who both make an average of £19,000.
Starting salaries of the top 10 most in demand apprenticeships
Of course, once qualified, skilled workers can make a lot more money. When looking at hourly rates, electricians are paid the most, at an average of £23. Typical working hours for electricians range anywhere between 30 to 40 hours per week, and average earnings for the year are around £42,000, which is more than double that of an electrician’s apprentice.
Despite earning less per hour on average (£20), welders actually earn a little more per year than electricians, at around £45,000. This is perhaps because they tend to work slightly more hours in the week, usually between 37 and 40 hours.
Plumbers and scaffolders follow behind in joint third, with both trades earning an average yearly salary of £40,000, though they do tend to work a minimum of 40 hours per week.
| Rank | Apprenticeships | Average starting salary (annual) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Welder | £22,000 |
| 2 | Plasterer | £19,000 |
| 3 | Scaffolder | £19,000 |
| 4 | Electrician | £18,000 |
| 5 | Carpenter | £17,000 |
| 6 | Bricklayer | £17,000 |
| 7 | Roofer | £17,000 |
| 8 | Groundworker | £17,000 |
| 9 | Painter and decorator | £17,000 |
| 10 | Plumber | £15,000 |
Civil Engineering is the most in demand construction trade that can be attained through a university course
The majority of skilled workers will train on the job, however, there are some roles within the construction industry that can be attained through a university course instead of going down the apprenticeship route.
In terms of which of these professions are most in demand, civil engineers tops the list, with over 332,000 yearly Google searches, and 4,906 current job vacancies. This is followed by quantity surveyors, and building surveyors.
Architects have seen the biggest surge in interest though, with an 86% increase in searches for the term ‘architect near me’ over the last year.
Top 5 trades that can be attained through a university course:
| Trade | Average yearly search demand | Number of job vacancies | Average starting salary (annual) | Average yearly salary (experienced) | Typical hours a week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil engineer | 332,280 | 4,906 | £30,000 | £70,000 | 40 to 42 |
| Quantity surveyor | 221,880 | 4,719 | £25,000 | £80,000 | 37 to 40 |
| Building surveyor | 84,000 | 4,565 | £25,000 | £70,000 | 38 to 40 |
| Architect | 646,800 | 2,361 | £30,000 | £60,000 | 35 to 40 |
| Structural engineer | 336,000 | 2,926 | £28,000 | £50,000 | 37 to 42 |
The number of women in the construction industry has increased by 23% since 2020
The construction industry in general has often been dominated by men. But, since 2020, there has been a 23% increase in the number of women employed in the sector. In comparison to 1997, this represents a huge 41% growth.
So, whether you’re a self-employed electrician, a landscaper branching out on your own, or a plumber looking to expand your micro-business, take a look at how Monzo’s Business Banking can help you grow your trade today.
Sources & Methodology
1 ONS: Employment by industry. Construction workforce, Apr-Jun 2023.
ONS government data was used to determine the number of skilled trade occupations per local authority as a percentage of the population.
To determine the most in demand construction trades, a seedlist of the top 30 construction trades in the UK was compiled. These were then ranked according to:
Google search volume and Year-on-Year growth for ‘[trade]’ and ‘[trade] near me’ Number of job vacancies as listed on Indeed
The same metrics and sources were used to determine the most in demand construction apprenticeships. Various course directories and guides were used to determine the average length of each type of apprenticeship.
To determine the average working hours, starting salaries and qualified salaries of the most in demand trade jobs, we used National Career Service data.
To determine the gender splits within the construction industry, ONS and Working Futures data were analysed.
Data correct as of September 2023.