Over half of young people have considered trade careers, only 11% follow through. What's holding them back?
15 October 2026Posted by:
Viveka Alvestrand
Content Marketing Manager, Trade Direct Insurance
There's plenty of interest in careers in construction and the trades among young people, but what's stopping more of them from taking the next step? New research from Trade Direct Insurance explores what's attracting 14 to 18-year-olds to the industry, what's putting them off and how their views differ.
Trade Direct Insurance 2026 youth careers survey: key findings
| Survey findings | Result |
| Have considered a career in construction or the trades at some point. | 55% |
| Currently considering or actively seeking a trade career. | 35% |
| Actively seeking a trade career. | 11% |
| Planning an apprenticeship after current studies. | 15% |
| Planning technical education after current studies. | 4% |
| Put off a career in the trades due to low interest. | 34% |
| Put off by physically demanding work. | 20% |
| Concerned about earning potential. | 18% |
| Not told enough about trade careers at school or college. | 16% |
| Want a career in an industry not threatened by AI. | 28% |
| Want a more active job. | 31% |
| Want to work with their hands. | 24% |
| Would prefer to work outside or on-site. | 17% |
More than half of young people aged 14-18 have considered a career in construction or the trades.
And it's not just a passing thought. More than 1 in 3 (35%) are currently considering or actively seeking a career in the trades.
For their next steps, 15% plan to pursue an apprenticeship after their current studies, while just 4% see themselves entering technical education, such as construction or trade college.
These figures cover all career interests, not just construction. But they raise questions about how young people explore the different routes into the trades.
From concerns about earnings to changing attitudes towards AI, our research takes a closer look at what young people really think about the industry.
Are young people in the UK still interested in careers in construction?
Yes, many young people in the UK are interested in construction careers.
Our research found that 55% of 14-18-year-olds have considered working in construction or learning a trade at some point.
That breaks down into:
-
11% actively seeking a career in construction or the trades
-
24% currently considering a career in the industry
-
20% who considered it previously but are no longer interested
-
45% who have never considered a career in construction or the trades
So, while 35% are currently interested, another 20% have thought about it but changed their minds.
That's a sizeable proportion of young people who have explored a trade career. And it challenges the idea that construction simply isn't on the radar for younger generations.
Interest in trade careers also matters in the context of the UK's wider construction skills shortage, with questions remaining about how the industry can attract its future workforce.
Another finding is that interest isn't the same across every age group.
Does interest in trade careers change as teenagers get older?
Among 14-16-year-olds, 42% are currently considering or actively seeking a career in construction or the trades.
For 17-18-year-olds, that figure falls to 26%. That's a 16-percentage-point difference.
There's also a difference among those who've previously considered a trade career but are no longer interested. For 14-16-year-olds, the figure is 17%. Among 17-18-year-olds, it rises to 24%.
So, what's happening?
The research doesn't explain why older teenagers are less likely to consider the trades. It also doesn't follow the same individuals over time. But the difference is interesting.
As young people approach the end of their studies, decisions about further education, university, apprenticeships and employment become more relevant. They may also have a clearer idea of the type of work they want to pursue.
The findings suggest that attitudes towards construction careers aren't necessarily the same throughout the teenage years. And that raises questions about how the industry connects with young people as they begin making decisions about their future.
Are young people hearing enough about careers in the trades?
Almost 1 in 6 young people (16%) say they weren't told enough about careers in construction or the trades at school or college, according to our survey.
That's a substantial group who feel they could have had more information about the opportunities available.
And there's plenty to learn about. Construction isn't just about working on a building site. The industry covers a wide range of careers, including:
-
Hands-on trades: Electricians, plumbers, carpenters and bricklayers
-
Technical roles: Surveyors, engineers and construction technicians
-
Planning and management: Project managers, site managers and construction planners
Each involves different skills, qualifications and working environments.
What does the wider research say?
Our findings aren't the only ones raising questions about careers information.
Research published by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in 2026 found that 45% of young people had received no careers advice about construction.
The CIOB’s surveys covered different age groups:
|
Research |
Age group |
Key finding |
|
Trade Direct Insurance, 2026 |
14-18 |
16% weren't told enough about trade careers |
|
16-24 |
45% said construction wasn't covered in careers advice |
These figures measure different experiences, so they aren't directly comparable. But both suggest that careers information deserves attention.
A lack of information won't explain every decision to pursue a different career. However, knowing what's available can make it easier for young people to explore their options.
What's putting young people off a career in construction?
Not everyone wants to work in construction, and our research makes that clear.
When asked what would put them off a career in the trades, 34% said it simply wasn't something that interested them. That was the most selected response.
Other reasons included:
-
20% don't want a physically demanding job
-
18% are concerned about earning potential
-
16% weren't told enough about trade careers at school or college
-
15% are worried about the availability of work
-
13% have existing perceptions of the industry
-
12% are concerned about initial earnings, including apprentice wages
-
10% have been told they wouldn't be a good fit
For those considering working in the trades, earnings are only part of the financial picture. There are also the costs of being a tradesperson to consider, particularly when working for yourself.
One of the clearest takeaways from our research is that there’s no single reason why some young people don't want a trades career.
The work just doesn't appeal to some. Others have questions about pay, opportunities or the industry itself. Some of those concerns may depend on the trade or occupation they're considering.
Do construction jobs pay well?
Earnings in construction vary by trade, qualifications, experience, and type of employment. There's no single salary that represents every role. But pay is clearly on young people's minds.
Our survey found that:
-
18% are concerned about earning potential in the trades
-
12% are worried about initial earnings, including apprentice wages
These figures show that earnings factor into how some young people view construction careers.
However, they don't necessarily mean young people are underestimating what tradespeople earn. Our survey asked about their concerns, not what they believe different occupations pay.
An apprentice electrician, an employed plumber and a self-employed builder can all have different earnings and working arrangements.
The findings highlight the importance of clear information about pay and career progression, rather than suggesting there's one earning potential across the industry.
Could AI change how young people view trade careers?
More than 1 in 4 young people (28%) want a career in an industry where jobs aren't threatened by AI, according to our survey.
This shows that the future of technology is already shaping how some teenagers think about work. But AI isn't the only factor influencing their career preferences.
What do young people want from their future jobs?
Our research found that young people value many of the qualities that come with practical work.
|
Career preference |
Percentage |
|
A more active job |
31% |
|
A career in an industry not threatened by AI |
28% |
|
Working with their hands |
24% |
|
Working for themselves |
21% |
|
Working outside or on-site rather than at a desk |
17% |
Electricians, plumbers and carpenters often work in practical environments where physical skills and problem-solving play an important role. Many trades also offer opportunities for self-employment.
For those exploring that route, there are also differences between working as a self-employed tradesperson and being employed to consider.
Are trade careers protected from AI?
Not entirely. Construction isn't immune to changes in technology.
AI, automation and digital tools can influence how construction work is planned, managed and completed.
However, many trade jobs involve practical tasks carried out in different locations and working environments. For young people interested in hands-on work, that combination of practical skills and technology could make the trades worth exploring.
The research doesn't fully answer whether AI concerns are directly encouraging teenagers to choose construction. But it does show that attitudes towards technology are part of the wider career conversation.
Do boys and girls view trade careers differently?
Our research found a 20-percentage-point difference between boys and girls currently considering or actively seeking a career in construction or the trades.
Among 14-18-year-olds:
-
46% of boys are currently considering or actively seeking a trade career
-
26% of girls are currently considering or actively seeking a trade career
This difference isn't limited to career interest.
What's putting girls off careers in the trades?
Female respondents were more likely than males to identify certain barriers.
|
Reason for being put off |
Girls |
Boys |
|
Existing perceptions of the industry |
16% |
10% |
|
Being told they wouldn't be a good fit |
12% |
7% |
These findings show differences in both career interest and the barriers reported by boys and girls.
They don't establish why those differences exist; they raise questions about whether young people see the same opportunities available to them across the industry.
For a sector offering everything from practical trades to technical and management roles, that raises questions about how young people discover opportunities and whether they see those careers as open to them.
Apprenticeships, college or university: what routes are young people considering?
15% of young people plan to pursue an apprenticeship after their current studies, while 4% say they’ll enter technical education, such as construction or trade college.
But those aren't the only routes respondents are considering.
Here's how their plans compare:
|
Planned next step |
Percentage |
|
Further education, such as sixth form or college |
35% |
|
Higher education, such as university |
29% |
|
Apprenticeship |
15% |
|
Employment |
10% |
|
Technical education, such as construction or trade college |
4% |
|
Did not know |
7% |
These figures reflect general education and employment plans, not anything construction-specific.
For example, the 15% planning an apprenticeship could be considering careers in a range of industries.
So, while the findings tell us something about young people's preferred pathways, they don't establish how many intend to enter the trades through each route.
What are the different routes into construction?
There are several ways to start a career in construction. The options depend on the specific job, qualifications, and entry requirements.
|
Route |
What it involves |
|
Apprenticeship |
Paid employment alongside training and study towards a recognised qualification |
|
College or technical education |
Classroom and practical learning, including construction-related qualifications |
|
T Levels |
Technical qualifications combining classroom study with an industry placement |
|
University |
Degree courses covering subjects such as surveying, construction management and engineering |
|
Employment and further training |
Entering work and developing skills through available training routes, depending on the role |
Someone interested in becoming an electrician may follow a different route from someone considering construction management.
Apprenticeships combine paid work with structured training. College and university courses offer other ways to develop relevant skills and qualifications.
There's no single pathway into the industry, and different occupations have different requirements.
Some tradespeople also choose to set up their own businesses later in their careers. Our guide to starting a plumbing business explores one example of that route.
What does this mean for the future of the trades?
Our research suggests that young people aren't necessarily overlooking construction careers.
55% have considered working in the trades at some point, while 35% are currently considering or actively seeking a career in the industry. But interest is only part of the picture.
Three findings stand out:
-
Interest differs by age. 42% of 14-16-year-olds are currently considering or actively seeking a trade career, compared with 26% of 17-18-year-olds.
-
Young people have different concerns. Physical demands, earnings, career information and existing perceptions all feature among the barriers.
-
Practical work has appeal. 31% want a more active job, while 24% want to work with their hands.
At Trade Direct Insurance, we’ve specialised in insurance for tradespeople for over 40 years. So understanding these changing attitudes is part of understanding the industry's future.
Our research shows that interest in trade careers is there. It also highlights differences in age, career priorities and the barriers young people report.
The question for the industry isn't simply how to generate more interest. It's how to make the range of opportunities easier for young people to understand and explore.
FAQs: Young people and trade careers
Is construction a good career for young people?
Construction offers a wide range of occupations, from hands-on trades to technical and management roles. Different jobs require different qualifications, work environments, and opportunities for progression.
Our survey found that 35% of 14-18-year-olds are currently considering or actively seeking a career in construction or the trades.
What's the difference between an apprenticeship and a degree?
An apprenticeship combines paid employment with structured training towards a qualification. A traditional university degree usually involves studying a subject through higher education.
Degree apprenticeships combine employment with degree-level study. Different routes are available depending on the construction occupation and entry requirements.
What careers are available in construction?
Construction includes a range of practical, technical and management careers, including:
-
Practical trades: Electrician, plumber, carpenter, bricklayer and plasterer
-
Technical roles: Surveyor and construction engineer
-
Management roles: Site manager and construction project manager
Entry routes can include apprenticeships, technical qualifications, college courses and university study.
About the research
Trade Direct Insurance commissioned independent research through 3Gem to explore how young people view careers in construction and the trades.
The survey involved 500 respondents aged 14-18 from across the UK and was commissioned on 29 July 2026.
Respondents were recruited through 3Gem. The results were analysed both as a combined sample and separately by GCSE and A-level education groups. No additional weighting was applied.
Percentages have been rounded. Some questions allowed respondents to select more than one answer, so percentages may not total 100%.
Explore more: Find out about construction insurance from Trade Direct Insurance.
About the Author
Viveka Alvestrand
Content Marketing Manager, Trade Direct Insurance
Viveka Alvestrand is an experienced content and digital marketing professional with a background in editorial strategy, brand storytelling and multi-channel communications.
Trade Direct is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The company is a leading UK independent broker providing a wide range of policies to tradesmen and construction workers.
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