New research has revealed that more than half (55%) of UK youths aged 14-18 have considered a career in construction or the trades, yet just 4% are planning to pursue technical education to get there.

The study, commissioned by Trade Direct Insurance, found that more than a third (35%) of 14-18 year olds are either considering (24%) or actively seeking (11%) a career in construction or the trades, as they await their exam results or prepare for future studies.

But relatively few are taking the next step. When asked what path they're planning to take after their current studies, only 4% named technical education, such as construction or trade college, and just 15% said they'd pursue an apprenticeship. The vast majority are instead defaulting to further or higher education.

This comes as the industry grapples with a significant skills shortage. According to the CITB's Construction Skills Network report, the UK will require an additional 41,200 construction workers every year until 2030 in order to meet demand. Actively recruiting and supporting young men and women into vocational pathways presents the trades industry with a clear solution to helping bridge this shortfall, and failure to adequately address the shortage could result in significant problems for the sector in the near future..

With thousands of young people due to open their GCSE and A Level results this month, the study reveals insights to better understand what's drawing young people towards the trades, and what's holding them back from following through.

The study shows that AI is emerging as an important factor in young people's career choices. More than a quarter (28%) of youths said they want a career in an industry that isn't threatened by AI, while 24% said they want a career where they can use their hands and 31% said they want a job that keeps them active rather than deskbound. This indicates a strong base of potentially interested future tradespeople, who are attracted to many of the perks that a career on the tools can offer. 

That interest is sometimes handicapped by the school system however, and  isn't always matched by the careers advice young people receive: 16% said they weren't taught enough about the trades or construction as a career option at school or college.

Among those who've already considered a trades career but ruled it out, the top reasons were a lack of interest (34%), concerns about physical demands (20%) and worries over earning potential (18%).

Interest among young women is still lagging behind, but shows potential

Young men are more likely than young women to be considering or actively seeking a trades career, at 46% compared to 26%. Girls are also more than twice as likely to cite the industry's existing reputation, for example as male-dominated or a "fall back" career, as a barrier (16% vs. 10% of males).

Commenting on the findings, Patricia Gardiner, director of sales and marketing at Trade Direct Insurance, said: "While young men currently lead interest in trade careers, seeing over a quarter of young women actively considering this path reveals a real untapped opportunity. If we dismantle outdated industry stereotypes, we can change perceptions of the industry, and unlock an entirely new workforce segment to help tackle the national skills crisis. Expanding the female workforce will be an essential component to ensure that the skills shortage does not continue to escalate"

GCSE’s emerge as a window of opportunity

The study shows that interest dramatically falls off after GCSE age. More than two fifths (42%) of 14-16 year olds are considering or actively pursuing a trades career, compared to just 26% of 17-18 year olds, a drop of 38%. Meanwhile, the share who say they used to consider it but no longer do climbs from 17% to 24% over the same age range, suggesting that schools and industry are missing an opportunity to engage young people about trade careers before that interest fades. 

Patricia adds: “It’s clear that by the time students are studying their A Levels, the window of opportunity to attract them to the trades is likely closed. To avoid missed potential, it’s essential that we do more to help young people discover the opportunities that a career in trade can offer, and give them the information they need to make an informed choice. The Government’s recent announcement to increase technical education after the age of 14 could therefore become a huge bonus for the sector.”

Patricia concludes: "It's genuinely encouraging to see that more than half of today's teenagers have thought about a career in construction or the trades. What's particularly interesting is what is drawing them to these careers – hands-on work, staying active and the prospect of a career that AI can't easily replace.

"The challenge is turning that initial interest into action. Right now, only 4% are planning to study a trade next year, compared with 35% who are actively considering or seeking one out. If we want to close the skills gap the industry is facing, we need to reach young people earlier and make the routes into these careers clearer, whether that's through technical education, apprenticeships or other qualifications."

“At the heart of that disconnect is a persistent advice gap in our schools. For too long, traditional university routes have been promoted as the default measure of success, while trade pathways are often left as an afterthought. Young people aren't rejecting vocational careers - they're simply not being shown the front door or given the support to navigate entry-level apprenticeships. Closing this guidance gap in classrooms is the single biggest opportunity we have to convert ambition into a thriving workforce."