Why apprentices are the last scalable growth strategy in the trades
06 Jul 2026
"The UK’s plumbing, gas, and electrical sectors face a growing workforce challenge. Demand for skilled tradespeople continues to rise, with over 73,000 new plumbers needed by 2032 and nearly one million additional construction workers required across the sector. Yet many businesses are struggling to recruit, and the electrical workforce is projected to decline significantly in the years ahead.
"This is more than a temporary skills shortage - it's a structural workforce issue. Businesses that build talent pipelines and invest in workforce development will be better positioned to grow than those relying on recruitment alone."
The end of growth through hiring
"For years, trade businesses grew by winning work and hiring experienced engineers. Today, that model is becoming less sustainable. Skilled workers are harder to find, more expensive to recruit, and in shorter supply as competition for talent intensifies.
"As a result, businesses can no longer rely on the labour market to provide the workforce they need. They must create it themselves."
Apprenticeships: a strategic investment
"While apprenticeships require upfront investment in training, support, and development, they offer a more sustainable route to growth. Businesses that develop talent internally reduce their dependence on a shrinking talent pool and gain greater control over future workforce planning.
"Apprentices trained in-house learn a company's processes, standards, and culture from day one, creating a workforce that is more aligned, consistent, and productive over time."
Why apprenticeships work
Apprenticeships provide a proven framework for building long-term capability by delivering:
- Business-specific skills - Training tailored to your processes, standards, and customer requirements.
- Reduced recruitment risk - Developing engineers with the exact skills and behaviour's your business needs.
- Stronger retention - Employees who start their careers with a company are often more loyal and engaged.
- Scalable growth - A predictable talent pipeline that supports workforce planning and business expansion.
Quality matters
"The value of an apprenticeship depends on the quality of training behind it. Structured learning, strong tutor support, and clear development pathways help apprentices become productive faster and deliver greater long-term value."
The future belongs to businesses that build talent
"As demand for skilled workers increases alongside the pressures of infrastructure investment, net zero targets, and project growth, workforce development is becoming a competitive necessity.
"The businesses that invest in apprenticeships today will be best positioned to grow tomorrow. Those that continue to rely solely on recruitment will face increasing challenges in securing the talent they need."
Conclusion
"Apprenticeships are more than a training course - they are a workforce strategy. In a market where skilled talent is increasingly scarce, building your own engineers provides something recruitment cannot: a reliable, scalable pipeline for long-term growth."
- Richard Bushnell, OEA Manager
Sources
UK Trade Skills Index 2023 (Checkatrade / Capital Economics)
SNIPEF Workforce Survey 2025
Construction News - Electrical Workforce Report (2025)
UK Government Apprenticeships Guidance (GOV.UK)
Apprenticeships.gov.uk Employer Benefits Data