Monzo Business’ new report takes a deep dive into the state of the construction industry and the opportunities available in the sector
According to government data, 2.1 million of the UK workforce currently work in construction, and new figuresshow that around 225,000 extra workers will be needed by 2027 to meet industry demands.
With this in mind, Monzo Business has conducted a new report, looking into the state of the UK’s construction sector. The research has revealed where in the UK offers the most opportunities for skilled workers, what the most in-demand construction jobs are, and where the skills gaps may lie.
Powys is the UK’s tradesperson capital, with 1 in 10 residents employed as a skilled worker
Wales is leading the charge when it comes to the employment of skilled workers. Four of the top five UK authorities with the highest percentage of skilled workers are located in the country. Powys takes the top spot, with 9.2% of the population employed in a skilled trade, closely followed by the Isles of Scilly (9.1%) and Ceredigion (7.6%)
| Rank | Location | % of the population employed in a skilled trade |
| 1 | Powys | 9.16% |
| 2 | Isles of Scilly | 9.10% |
| 3 | Ceredigion | 7.60% |
| 4 | Pembrokeshire | 7.34% |
| 5 | Gwynedd | 7.05% |
Electricians are the most in-demand construction trade in 2023
Electricians have topped the list as the most in-demand construction trade in the UK with over 1.6 million searches on Google a year from the public, and 6,755 job vacancies for those looking to get into the profession. The UK public has clearly been in need of some significant electrical assistance locally this year, as the search term ‘electrician near me’ has seen a 50% increase since 2022.
With high demand and a high number of vacancies unfilled, this highlights a potential skills gap within this trade.
| Rank | Trade | Average annual search demand | Number of job vacancies |
| 1 | Electrician | 1,614,000 | 6,755 |
| 2 | Plumber | 2,214,000 | 2,351 |
| 3 | Carpenter | 631,200 | 4,157 |
| 4 | Road worker | 43,200 | 5,768 |
| 5 | Welder | 198,000 | 3,499 |
Given that electricians are the most in-demand of all tradespeople, it makes sense that apprenticeships in these fields are also the most popular. The average yearly search volume for ‘electrician apprenticeship’ is 118,800, which is up 22% since last year, and the sector also currently has the most apprenticeships available, at 245.
Welders are the most lucrative trade profession when it comes to yearly earnings, both as an apprentice (£22,000) and when qualified (£45,000)
In terms of which apprenticeships offer the highest starting salary, welders top the list, making an average of £22,000 per year. This is followed by plasterers and scaffolders, who both make an average of £19,000.
Once qualified, skilled workers can make a lot more money. When looking at hourly rates, electricians are paid the most, at an average of £23. However, despite earning less per hour on average (£20), welders actually earn a little more per year than electricians, at around £45,000. This is perhaps because they tend to work slightly more hours in the week, usually between 37 and 40.
| Rank | Trade | Average yearly salary (starting) | Average yearly salary (experienced) | Average hourly salary when qualified | Typical hours a week |
| 1 | Electrician | £18,000 | £42,000 | £23.01 | 30 to 40 |
| 2 | Welder | £22,000 | £45,000 | £20.07 | 37 to 40 |
| =3 | Plumber | £15,000 | £40,000 | £19.93 | 40 to 45 |
| =3 | Scaffolder | £19,000 | £40,000 | £19.93 | 42 to 44 |
| 4 | Carpenter | £17,000 | £38,000 | £19.43 | 44 to 46 |
| 5 | Bricklayer | £17,000 | £40,000 | £18.05 | 43 to 45 |
There has been a 23% increase in the number of women employed in the construction sector since 2022
The construction industry in general has often been dominated by men. But, since 2020, there has been a 23% increase in the number of women employed in the construction sector. In comparison to 1997, this represents a huge 41% growth.
The full report can be viewed here: https://monzo.com/business-banking/learn/tools-of-the-trade/
