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Industry Q&As
Why can I never find a good tradesman?
Have you ever wondered why finding a good tradesperson is so hard and they charge the earth? That’s because Britain is in the throes of a skills shortage, with plumbers, electricians and building workers topping the list of most sought-after tradesmen and women.
Government figures estimate we're going to need at least 29,000 more plumbers along with 400,000 new builders and 17,000 more engineers. Moreover, the workforce is ageing with many skilled workers will retiring in the next few years and the numbers completing apprenticeships is not meeting that demand.
A few statistics on our skills shortage:
- The Construction Industry Training Board calculates that the industry will create 380,000 new job opportunities across Britain over the next five years. That's the equivalent of 76,000 each year.
- The Skills Foresight Report 2002-2006 found that 65,000 people alone will be needed every year to replace those who were retiring.
- An extra 11,000 will be needed to meet the growth in demand due to the large number of major construction projects that are either planned or under way, including expansion of airports, new hospital projects and road building and improvements.
- Currently, there are about 150,000 plumbers in the UK and it is estimated that an additional 29,000 will be needed just to keep up with demand.
“A good tradesperson is always in demand.”
What are the other trades which are experiencing shortages?
Electricians and carpenters followed closely gas and oil engineers. In the case of electricians and carpenters the shortages now exceed that in the plumbing industry.
How quickly can I start earning?
You will only get out
what you put in, but if you are determined and motivated there is no reason
why you cannot finish your course on a Friday and begin work the next Monday.
Our courses are designed to give you the practical experience and skills
to add value from day one.
Why the building trade if I don’t want to work on a construction
site?
The construction industry is only a part of the building
industry and you can take your new career in so many different directions
either in residential or commercial work and even take charge of your life
by starting your own business. You will have seen in the press the amount
of new building required in the UK so prospects are good.
What will I get from my Step to course?
You will receive excellent hands-on training in our dedicated construction skills training centre. The trainers all have many years experience in the industry combined with teaching experience. You will be equipped with the skills to allow you to progress on to NVQ level 2 by getting workplace assessments. Most importantly you will build a portfolio of evidence which will be a powerful marketing tool for employers and customers as well as the building blocks for the NVQ.
When do I become fully qualified? After completing your course you should work with a qualified practitioner to build on the skills you have learned. We encourage you to achieve the NVQ level 2 and then level 3. This is done by workplace assessment where we can help with the services of a qualified assessor at an additional fee. How long you take to achieve this will depend on you and the work that you do.
Why pay someone else if you could do it yourself and maybe even for less!
Many of our students find that the initial outlay for the course can quickly be recouped by working in their new trade. If you look at your course as an investment for your future the returns can be excellent.
Where do I go from here?
Click through to our application form or contact us for more details.
“There is no age barrier to those intending to re-train.”