Eight-five per cent reject proposals by the Department of Education to reduce training to eight months.
New research by On The Tools reveals that UK tradespeople overwhelmingly oppose shortening apprenticeships, with 85% rejecting the idea of reducing training to eight months. A further 83% believe shorter apprenticeships would fail to prepare learners for the realities of the trade. The findings highlight a clear concern about training quality and its long-term impact on the industry.
The survey was conducted for the February edition of the ‘Monthly Insight’ reports offered exclusively to those subscribed to On The Tools’ TradeBrain Membership Programme. February’s topic covered tradespeople’s attitudes to the Department of Education’s recent changes - and proposed changes - to apprenticeship programmes.
Effective immediately, businesses can decide whether adult learners need GCSEs in English and maths to complete their apprenticeships; the trades’ attitude to this change was explored in the report. Sign up to TradeBrain Membership to find out more.
Proposed changes include reducing apprenticeship durations from 12 to eight months in certain industries. Set to take effect in August, pending legislation, it’s unclear if construction will be included. On The Tools asked community members in the industry to share whether they thought construction should be included in the changes, and 85% said it should not.
The reason might lie in the perception of readiness for real work in the trade. When UK tradespeople were asked whether they thought an 8-month-long apprenticeship would prepare learners well enough for the trade, only 17% said it would. A majority of 4 in 5 believe that if the programme was shorter, new entrants would not be prepared for real work in the trade and the standard of work would drop.
Many in the trade recognise that apprentices need time to build practical experience and confidence before transitioning into full-time work, ensuring they can contribute effectively from day one. A rushed apprenticeship could leave new entrants lacking crucial skills, making them less employable and increasing risks on-site: ultimately affecting productivity, safety, and the long-term talent pipeline for the industry.
But, apprenticeships aren’t the be-all and end-all of routes into construction. For this research report, On The Tools interviewed eight tradespeople about their experiences entering the industry, and none had taken the apprenticeship route. This underscores the importance of the government considering alternative pathways into the trade. Many tradespeople cited informal routes such as family connections, hands-on work experience, and self-employment as their way in. As Craig Paxon, a landscaper, pointed out: “It’s not easy to join a company, and it’s not easy for a company owner to employ. Maybe they should offer more incentives for employers to take on young tradespeople.”
Lee Wilcox, CEO and Co-Founder of On The Tools, said: “The skills shortage is one of the biggest threats to the future of the UK construction industry, and it’s clear that the current system isn’t working as it should. While reducing entry barriers is a step in the right direction, this alone won’t solve the issue. We need to ensure that construction is seen as a desirable career path, that employers feel supported in hiring and training new entrants, and that we explore a range of routes into the trade.”
