UK faces £98bn hit as skills gap leaves trades careers behind
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UK faces losing out on £98bn in economic growth by 2030 due to shortage of 166,000 skilled tradespeople. Gap projected to rise to 250,000 by 2030.
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Demand growing as homeowners seek to improve energy efficiency of homes to reach net zero. Need for skilled installers increasing.
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Only 13% of 16-25 year olds encouraged by schools to consider trades careers. Just 2% of UK tradespeople are women.
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Proposals to help close gap better trades careers advice in schools, support for SMEs to take on apprentices, financial support for trade apprentices.
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Need to remove stigma around trades careers which offer earnings potential on par with uni degrees. Supporting young talent into trades could enable sustainable growth.