Following the release of its Voice of the Trade report earlier this year, which surveyed over 1,000 of the nation’s hardworking tradespeople, Screwfix, in partnership with its parent company Kingfisher, invited several finalists and winners from its Top Tradesperson and Trade Apprentice competitions to share their insights with MPs, civil servants, and Lords at the Houses of Parliament.
Speaking at the parliamentary event were Mohammed Rahman, Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2024, and Astrid Arnold who won the title in 2023. With recent from Screwfix’s report highlighting 79% of SMEs and sole traders have been unable to take on an apprentice, both Mohammed and Astrid used their speeches to call for clearer support from those charged with policy to aid not only those thinking of entering the trades, but also to help the small, often sole traders, who might be unable to take on an apprentice.
Talking of their own journeys into the trade, Mohammed touched on the importance of role models when it comes to attracting fresh talent into the industry, drawing on his own experience as the first in his family to enter the trades. He said: “I was encouraged to go down the route to university when I finished school, because that’s what everyone did. Yet I embarked on an apprenticeship. It wasn’t easy, in fact it took me over a year to find one, but I persevered, and it’s paid off. I want to use my story, and platform to be the role model that I needed growing up, showing people how rewarding a career in the trade can be.
“But it can’t just fall onto the shoulders of tradespeople, we need the support from government to drive this, not only helping businesses and apprentices with financial support, but also in the way apprenticeships are perceived – this needs to change, so they are viewed as a valid and valuable career choice.”
As Screwfix Top Tradesperson’s first female winner, Astrid also used her speech to touch on the untapped opportunity available to the trade presented by women, who currently make up just two percent of the construction workforce. Astrid commented: “The challenge we’re facing is not a new one, but it’s one that will not change unless we all work together. My whole career I have been used to standing out as a female in a male dominated industry. What we need is more support for adults looking to enter the construction industry, especially women, to show them the breadth of opportunities available from working in the trades and just how rewarding a career can be.”
Sponsored by Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, the event offered previous Screwfix Top Tradesperson and Trade Apprentice winners and finalists the opportunity to speak with MPs, giving their first-hand experience of the challenges currently facing the industry.
Closing the event, Screwfix CEO, John Mewett added: “When we carried out our research for the Voice of The Trade report, it was striking to see that 79% of SMEs and sole traders have been unable to take on an apprentice. As the industry continues to face the skills gap, it’s clear that much support is needed here to ensure we have the very best talent entering the trades. The event in Parliament has given a further voice to the trade, providing some of those within it with the platform to speak directly with those who will be key in developing future policy, and putting the UK construction industry at the fore of these future decisions.”
