The Changing Landscape of Skilled Trades in the UK
Not too long ago, the UK faced a pressing need for skilled bricklayers. With Labour pledging to construct 1.5 million new homes before the next general election, it became glaringly obvious that we lacked sufficient bricklayers to meet current demands, let alone future ones. Fast forward a few months, and after a wave of unconventional diplomacy reminiscent of Trump’s style has upended the traditional global order, we find ourselves in urgent need of welders. These skilled workers are crucial for putting the UK on a war footing, manufacturing the tanks and aircraft necessary to ensure our safety against Russian aggression and unpredictable American policies.
This abrupt shift from constructing homes to fortifying our defense capabilities highlights significant shortcomings in our workforce. The nation that once led the Industrial Revolution now struggles to equip itself adequately for both housing and defense. According to a recent report, there are currently 10,000 job vacancies in the defense manufacturing sector, where submarine welders are in such high demand that they can reportedly command wages as high as £80 per hour in some cases. Many welders currently working in the UK have immigrated from Poland and Bulgaria, underscoring the gap in our domestic talent pool.
The harsh reality is that the UK has long neglected to address its skills gap. A significant factor contributing to this issue was the policy decision made in the 1990s and early 2000s to expand higher education at the expense of vocational training. Although recent years have seen a renewed emphasis on apprenticeships as an alternative pathway for school leavers, these opportunities often do not lead to sustainable employment or fill critical roles in our economy.
The current Government has vowed to tackle these challenges by launching Skills England, a new initiative aimed at identifying key skills shortages and incentivizing better training opportunities in those areas. However, the effectiveness of this program remains to be seen.
In the meantime, I would like to propose a partial solution: my own children. At 15, my eldest is approaching the pivotal moment of making decisions that will shape her future. Currently, she has her sights set on pursuing a degree in English or psychology. She is a bright student who would likely excel in these fields, and I can’t help but wonder why she shouldn’t enjoy three enriching years studying subjects that, while intellectually stimulating, may not have practical applications in today’s job market.
Yet, the reality is that pursuing such a degree comes with a hefty price tag—around £30,000 to be precise—plus interest. It’s disheartening to see young adults burdened with substantial student debt, and as a parent, I dread the financial impact that her university years would have on our family.
Wouldn’t it be far more beneficial for her to enter the workforce, acquire a trade, and secure a stable future? If she needed to stay at home for a few years, we could set her rent at a reasonable rate. Given her natural aptitude for crafts like knitting, I believe she might possess the dexterity required for welding.
However, I suspect she will continue to chase her dreams of attending a prestigious university, regardless of the financial implications. My younger son, on the other hand, may be more receptive to the idea of pursuing a trade. After realizing that his aspiration of becoming a professional footballer is unlikely, I have consistently pointed out that a career as a YouTuber is also not a guaranteed path to success.
Unlike his sister, my son seems motivated by the prospect of earning a decent wage. While he may refuse my offer of a pound to wash the car, he has his sights set higher. Although he hasn’t yet grasped that significant earnings like those of Jeff Bezos are rare, the allure of making £80 an hour as a welder could very well pique his interest.
While I am uncertain if there are pre-entry courses available for nine-year-olds aspiring to enter skilled trades, I may consider organizing a brick-laying party for him as his birthday approaches. Let’s set aside the fact that he still struggles with tying his shoelaces—after all, practice leads to perfection in the realm of dexterity.
In a decade or so, he could be expertly assembling Typhoon fighters as if they were mere Airfix models or erecting apartment complexes in the blink of an eye.
Come on, son: Your country needs you—and your parents wouldn’t mind a new conservatory!
