New data has revealed that plumbers are the most in-demand trades across the UK.
That’s according to new research by Vansdirect, which analysed the latest labour demand volumes from the ONS to uncover trades that are attracting the highest number of job adverts.
Plumbers came out on top with 23% of all job adverts targeting tradespeople in the past year. Electricians (19%), carpenters (12%), builders (12%) and security system installers (9%) all made up the rest of the top five.[1]
Interestingly, ‘painters and decorators’ saw the highest increase in job adverts, with a 175% increase over the last three months.
These findings come as a report by the UK Trade Skills Index revealed that the nation has a gap of nearly one million skilled tradespeople that needs to be filled over the next eight years.[2]
Top 10 in-demand trades in the UK based off labour demand volumes
|
Ranking |
Trade |
Total adverts |
Share of job listings |
|
#1 |
Plumber |
72,440 |
23% |
|
#2 |
Electrician |
59,195 |
19% |
|
#3 |
Carpenter |
37,370 |
12% |
|
#4 |
Builder |
36,175 |
12% |
|
#5 |
Security system installer |
28,045 |
9% |
|
#6 |
Painters |
20,395 |
7% |
|
#7 |
IT installation |
12,120 |
4% |
|
#8 |
Plasterer |
7,865 |
3% |
|
#9 |
Roofer |
7,540 |
2% |
|
#10 |
Bricklayer |
6,910 |
2% |
Moreover, previous research by Vansdirect revealed that plumbers’ and locksmiths’ services were the most in demand for the general public.
Analysing Google queries across the country for each trade ‘near me’, the van specialists found that plumbers and locksmiths came out on top with 18% of all queries by Brits for tradespeople. Followed by electricians (15%), roofers (8%) and handymen (6%).
With a gap of nearly one million tradespeople needing to be filled. It’s insightful to see where the most in-demand trades really do lie.