As millions of British teenagers open their GCSE results today and consider their next steps, new research from 3M suggests that skilled trades have a real image problem.
Nearly all of Britons (93%) believe the workforce needs more skilled tradespeople, according to 3M’s 2022 State of Science Index. Yet, 76% said even though they respect skilled tradespeople, they would not pursue a trade themselves, indicating that there is a disconnect that stands in the way of a robust trades industry.
The survey, which explores global attitudes toward science, is now in its fifth year.
While the British public believes that the workforce needs more skilled workers, such as plumbers, electricians and carpenters, there is a lack of understanding when it comes to the opportunities on offer for those that take up a skilled trade. Addressing this understanding is critical with the ongoing skills shortage hampering employers in the UK, says the report.
And it’s not a question of economic incentive – 74% of the British public believe they would earn the same in a trade as in a career requiring a university degree, slightly higher than the 71% global average. British people’s reticence to take up a trade seems to correlate to a widespread misunderstanding of the progression of a trade career, and how the digital skills required in other industries come into play.
In an increasingly digitalised world, skilled tradespeople must also keep pace with the wave of technology, and that begins with vocational training. Over half of tradespeople worry they lack the digital skills to thrive in the current job market.
Tradespeople are required to embrace digital solutions for monitoring, implementing and performing remote maintenance on a daily basis.
“The skilled trade economy, like all industries is being transformed by the latest technological innovations and there is an opportunity for the digitally savvy trade worker to thrive,” says Sarah Chapman, technical leader at 3M. “This data shows that trade schools, apprenticeship schemes and trade employers must do more to ensure vocational training and opportunities meet the demands of the modern world. We must bring the world of STEM and skilled trades together.”
To address the need for more skilled tradespeople in society, 3M has committed to creating 5 million unique STEM and skilled trade roles through its Skilled Trades partnerships. This also includes ‘reverse mentoring’, which sees Gen Z workers help to upskill older employees on digital competencies. To continue growing the respect and attraction of skilled trades jobs, training schemes must put STEM at the heart of this sector.
