20.10.2025

New study reveals a fifth of people are considering retraining in the skilled trades, as two thirds state they are aware of massive skills shortage in UK

The UK has long been experiencing decline in skilled trades - but new research suggests that there is a light appearing at the end of the tunnel.

A new report, released by MyBuilder.com, shows that more than a fifth of people are considering retraining in the skilled trades sector, as fears around AI affecting jobs rises and job dissatisfaction grows.

MyBuilder.com has been a long-standing champion of the trades as a career choice. After conducting a study last year on attitudes around the trades as a vocation, it ran a further survey this month to ascertain whether attitudes were beginning to change.

The results are encouraging. Whilst a fifth of all those asked stated they had considered retraining as a plumber, electrician, or other skilled trades, in the younger demographic this rose to 34 per cent. The industry has historically struggled to recruit women, and while female respondents were still slightly less likely to consider the trades than male respondents, a promising 19 per cent said they had considered retraining in this sector.

The vast majority of Brits knew that the skill shortage was an issue, with 65 per cent agreeing there was a known shortage. However, this was less well known among 18-34 year olds, with just over half (54 per cent) stating they were aware.

Over a third (37 per cent) of people asked stated that they were not satisfied with their current job roles. This rose to 43 per cent in the 35-54 year old group - a demographic that was also concerned most about AI replacing their job roles.

The rising use of AI in many industries has shone a positive spotlight on skilled trades, which cannot be replaced in this way and therefore can offer longevity in a career where others may be threatened. AI was revealed as a big concern for many Brits when it came to their current careers. The study showed that 50 per cent of men and 46 per cent of women asked were worried about the impact AI would have on their careers. Brits in the North West were the most concerned about this problem - with nearly two thirds (62 per cent) stating they had concerns about how AI would affect their current job roles.

This concern, however, grew further when people considered the impact AI might have on their future careers. More than half of all those asked (51 per cent) were worried about how AI would affect their future career opportunities, and this rose to 62 per cent of those aged 18-34.

Andy Simms, from MyBuilder.com, said that the fact that so many people were considering retraining into the skilled trades was very encouraging news.

“We’ve long been saying that a career in the trades is a great choice for young people - and for those who are interested in retraining.

“Flexible working hours, training on the job, and lots of opportunities to be self employed are just some of the benefits that we see tradespeople enjoying every day.

“While our 2024 report showed that there was plenty of interest from parents seeing their children into careers in the trades, this wasn’t really being seen in the figures from respected bodies regarding how many new recruits were entering the trades.

“Our new research suggests that more people are now considering the skilled trades as a great option for their career. However, we continue to call on the Government, schools, and colleges to push the industry as a great vocation for young adults, so that this momentum continues.”

For more details on the Skill Shortage report visit: https://www.mybuilder.com/blog/skills-shortage.

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