UK heading for tradespeople crisis with shortage of ‘250,000’ by 2030 over push for net zero

BRITAIN is heading for a tradespeople crisis with a shortfall of 250,000 predicted by 2030 over the push for net zero.

The lack of trained plumbers and electricians will cost an estimated £98billion in missed economic growth, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research.

Demand for skilled workers will soar as the country moves to meet net zero targets, with people looking to improve their home’s energy efficiency by installing insulation, heat pumps and solar panels.

The biggest shortages are set to be among electricians, plumbers, heating engineers and carpenters, according to the study by the CEBR think tank for Kingfisher.

The country is already facing a shortage of 166,000 tradespeople, with vacancy levels for many occupations now close to record highs.

Kingfisher, which owns Screwfix, TradePoint and B&Q, called on business and government to work together to encourage more young people — particularly women — to take up a trade.

Only one in ten 16 to 25-year-olds said they were likely to consider trade as a career.

And just two per cent of Britain’s 900,000 tradespeople are women.

Thierry Garnier, boss of Kingfisher, said trades should be promoted in schools.

He added: “Trade careers are high-quality, skilled jobs, with significant earnings potential.

“They should be valued just as highly as career options that require a university degree.”