According to Rated People, a platform for finding tradespeople, many tradespeople are looking to leave the country which could worsen the already severe construction labour shortage
New research from the trades platform reveals UK tradespeople are also looking to leave the country to find work abroad which could make the situation even worse.
The Prime Minister has relaxed visa rules for foreign tradespeople. However, Rated People have urged the government to do more to combat the construction labour shortage.
Why are tradespeople looking to work abroad?
A better quality of life and enhanced career opportunities are driving UK tradespeople to seek work abroad and the
According to the study, better career opportunities and a higher quality of life are among the main reason why tradespeople are seeking work abroad.
By comparing Google data across 15 different trades in countries around the world, the researchers were able to confirm that people were increasingly looking to find trade work around the world.
UK search volume over the past year with the previous 12 months, the results show where different trades are increasingly looking to find work around the world.
Researchers at the trades platform analysed Google data for 15 types of trade jobs in different countries around the world.
Searches for construction jobs in Saudi Arabia have increased by 293%
There were over a million searches for international trade jobs since June 2022. Across the 15 trades, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Spain were all popular searches, with Australia leading the way.
Searches for construction jobs in Saudi Arabia increased the most, with searches rising by 293% over the past year.
Searches for plumbing roles in Saudi Arabia have gone up by 171%, and painting jobs in Australia have increased by 158%. Searches for plastering positions in Australia have risen by the increase.
The reasons behind the severe labour shortage
Brexit, the cost-of-living crisis, and a lack of interest from young people in the industry have been flagged as potential contributors to the severe labour shortage.
The 2023 Rated People Home Improvement Trends Report found that 48% of UK adults were never presented with a career in the trades as a job option during school.
Despite the introduction of T-Levels, which encourage students to pursue apprenticeships, fewer than 10,000 students opted to take on a T-Level course last year.
“School careers advice should be highlighting the incredible opportunities available in the industry. Trade jobs can offer high earning potential and great work-life balance, and by choosing a vocational path after school, students can avoid the debt that many face from going through university and paying significant fees,” commented said Adrienne Minster, CEO of Rated People.
T-Levels have also faced criticism from some parties. According to Ofsted, T-level courses offer poor value, inappropriate work placements and high dropout rates.
1 in 5 construction workers are aged over 55
Fewer new people are learning trade skills, meaning the average age of trade workers in the UK is on the rise.
In 2018, the Office for National Statistics reported that one in every five UK-born construction workers was aged over 55. This means that in 2023 these workers would have surpassed retirement age.
“The Government’s latest bid to fix the shortage by relaxing visa requirements for foreign workers is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to fix the root cause by encouraging more young people into the industry,” said Minster.
“The Government also needs to enhance T-Level qualifications and make it worthwhile for trades businesses to offer apprenticeships so young people can get valuable experience whilst learning on the job,” he concluded.
