The Vanishing Trades: Are Gen Z teens losing interest in trade careers?
Image credit: Ore projects, Photographer; Julia Forsman
The UK's ambition to build 1.5 million homes by 20291 is colliding with a stark reality: there simply aren't enough workers to get the job done.
Labour and material shortages have become chronic in recent years, putting pressure on an industry already struggling to keep pace with demand. To stem the tide, the government is investing £600 million to train 60,000 skilled workers1-like bricklayers, engineers, and electricians, in a bid to reboot the talent pipeline and drive economic growth.
But it's not just a matter of training. Construction, once a mainstay career path, is slipping off the radar for young people. With careers in tech and digital industries now more accessible than ever, skilled trades are being sidelined, being seen by many teens as outdated or unappealing.
The impact is already visible. Between December 2024 and February 2025, there were 36,000 unfilled construction jobs in the UK2. In 2023, that number hovered around 38,000 vacancies every month3.
The demand is there. The work is ready. But if the next generation isn't stepping in, who will?
We've delved into the why, speaking to 500 UK teenagers aged between 14 and17.
1 in 4 Gen Z teens don't believe they are taught enough about career opportunities in trade
To support the industry in the decline of trade careers, we wanted to understand the challenges and perceptions young people face around industry jobs.
We ran a survey in March 2025 to tackle this issue head-on and understand how we can look toward a better future for our industry and economy.
Image credit: metasl4U
Skilled trade careers are the backbone of Britain's infrastructure, but today's young people aren't queuing up to join the ranks.
Just 8% of teens said they were interested in a career in construction or a trade. That figure trails behind sectors like IT (14%), healthcare (12%), and the arts (8%), highlighting a growing disconnect between the opportunities in the industry and how they're perceived by the next generation.
Image credit: metals4U
Many teenagers say they simply don't feel suited to the physical nature of trade roles-41% believe manual labour isn't their strength, and 28% say they wouldn't feel comfortable in the environment. The discomfort is particularly pronounced among girls, with nearly half (47%) saying physical work is a barrier, compared to 35% of boys.
"28% of teens said they don't feel comfortable working in the trade environment"
Image credit: metals4U
Even age plays a role: 14-year-olds are significantly more likely to feel uneasy in trade roles than older teens, suggesting early impressions can be hard to shake if not addressed.
A positive future for trades?
But there's still hope, a quarter of young people would consider becoming an electrician, which was the most popular trade role by far, followed by construction workers, and painters and decorators.
Image credit: metals4U
When asked what influences their career choices, 44% said their families play a key role. That presents a powerful opportunity for parents, teachers, and industry leaders alike to change the narrative around the trades - not just as a job, but as a skilled, creative, and rewarding career path.
Image credit: metals4U
With the right exposure, encouragement, and modernised messaging, there's every chance the next generation could rediscover the value of building Britain, quite literally from the ground up.
"Nearly half of young people look to family for an influence on their career choices, with teachers following closely behind"
Paul McFadyen, Chairman and Founder of metals4U says;
"A young person's environment has a huge influence on their career choices when considering what options they have available to them.
"Families can provide a foundation to nurture their children's skill set, as teachers and the external voices they bring into classrooms can help engage and advise students on their interests.
"Businesses have an opportunity here to reach out to local community schools and universities to share the skills and knowledge on careers in the trade, offering better insight into career pathways and apprenticeships that will help fill entry-level vacancies that are so desperately needed.
"It was interesting to find that 1 in 5 (20%) of the teens we surveyed are inspired by their teachers when choosing a career path. With such a large number of teenagers struggling with a lack of knowledge (1 in 4), this could easily be tackled with the help of local businesses and schools to offer more visibility and create an engaging space for students to learn about the different types of jobs that exist in the industry."
The organisations that are spotlighting trade opportunities for young people
Luckily, some fantastic companies and charities across the UK are striving to create more opportunities, widening the knowledge of careers in the trade industry for young people.
Image Credit: Yorkshire Children's Charity
Ore Projects is one of these businesses. Founded by two women in the industry who bonded over a lack of inclusivity in the industry, they set up a workshop space which focuses on supporting marginalised groups to learn skills in a safe and inclusive environment. They facilitate lots of different groups, including women and LGBTQIA+, SENDMH students, and young adults at risk of not being employed.
The co-founder of Ore Projects, Daniela Rubino, says there are many barriers young people face when it comes to entering the industry in today's world.
"State school resources are low, the facilities for Design and Technology are dwindling. Most of the students we work with who study the subject are confined to computer-based learning. Young adults can go through school on an academic path that doesn't fit their needs. We need more opportunities to show students the value of working with your hands and more accessible pathways into trade skills."
metals4U is passionate about making a difference in this ongoing industry challenge. That's why over the last few years, they've been partnering with Ore Projects, providing the materials and resources needed for young people to learn these vital skills.
"Big companies have a responsibility to look after their customer base, this should include nurturing the skills of their future customers. Young adults need time and space to make mistakes and learn through trial and error. metals4U provides Ore Projects with the materials to run the scheme; without this, we wouldn't be able to offer the freedom to learn creatively, which is key in encouraging, supporting and empowering young adults into a career that they will enjoy. We think everyone deserves that," says Daniela.
Image credit: Ore projects, Photographer; Julia Forsman
Charities such as Yorkshire Children's Charity have also launched programmes which shed light on these issues and have offered construction workshops which allow people to learn more about the industry
Charlotte Farrington, founder and chief executive of Yorkshire Children's Charity commented: "Our construction workshops run under the title of 'Constructing Careers' because that's exactly what the workshops are about - giving young people a 360 overview of the property sector and introducing them to the huge variety of careers that exist within the construction and trade sector to inspire and empower them.
"As a charity, we are so lucky to have the support of the Yorkshire property sector who go above and beyond to assist our work. We've been running these workshops with Leeds College of Building since 2023 and so far, the days have involved sessions about plumbing, electrical, architecture, construction, structural engineering, quantity surveying and development. "
"We want our young people to come away from these workshops knowing that, regardless of ability, circumstance, or background, there is an opportunity for them within the Yorkshire property sector."
"Many of the children and young people we work with don't always have access to traditional career guidance that points them toward practical, hands-on professions. Often, the focus is on more academic paths, such as going to university, but this doesn't always align with the aspirations or interests of every young person."
"Running workshops and giving students a chance to get hands-on experience is a great way for construction and trade firms to encourage young people into the industry. It's really important to help them understand the tangible route into these career paths and that a successful, fulfilling career doesn't always have to follow the traditional university route."
How do we revive the future of trade careers?
Image credit: Ore projects, Photographer; Julia Forsman
There's a huge opportunity for the trade sector to better connect with young people, and it starts with visibility.
In our recent survey, 6% of respondents weren't sure what common trade roles even involve. While that may seem like a small number, it signals a growing risk; vital careers in construction, engineering, and skilled labour are quietly slipping off the radar for the next generation.
At metals4U, we're passionate about ensuring that doesn't happen. Together with industry advocates like Paul and partner organisations such as Ore Projects, we're working to reignite interest in the trades and spotlight the diverse, rewarding paths they offer.
"For the British economy to grow, we need future generations to have the skills to keep this country running. We were once global pioneers, marked by Henry Bessemer's invention of mass steel production in 1856. But today, with just one steel manufacturing plant left in the UK, that legacy is under threat." - Paul McFadyen
Through partnerships like metals4U x Ore Projects, we're helping to remove the barriers young people face when entering the trades. "We've seen incredible talent emerge when students are given the tools and encouragement they need," Paul adds. "It's about confidence, opportunity, and showing them they can be the ones who build Britain's future."
Survey Methodology & References
Through 3Gem, in March 2025, we surveyed 500 UK-based young people aged 14 - 17.
References
- https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britain-pledges-600-million-pounds-tackle-construction-skills-shortages-2025-03-22/
- https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/jobsandvacanciesintheuk/march2025
- https://www.ft.com/content/d0f12c74-a01e-4157-980a-c3fb3c52565c
