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Is there really a skills shortage in the UK trades, or is there simply not enough work to go around?

Pete and Keiran are back for another Off The Job Overtime, and this week they get into a question a lot of tradespeople are starting to ask.

We constantly hear that the UK needs more builders, plumbers, electricians and skilled tradespeople, but at the same time apprentices are struggling to find placements and plenty of trades are saying work has slowed down.

So what’s actually going on?

The lads discuss recent construction figures showing activity contracting, particularly in residential work, and whether different trades are being affected depending on whether the work is essential or something customers can delay when money is tight.

They also get into:

• Is there really a UK skills shortage?
• Why apprentices are struggling to find opportunities
• Whether residential construction and home improvement work is slowing
• Which trades are likely to feel a downturn first
• Essential work vs jobs customers can put off
• The reality of being self-employed when costs keep rising
• Making Tax Digital and what the changing thresholds could mean for tradespeople
• Why working on the tools can take such a toll on your body
• A recap of all 10 guests from this season

Pete also talks about badly hurting his back after years on the tools, leading into a very relatable conversation about how much tradespeople rely on their bodies to earn a living and how little thought most of us give to warming up, stretching or protecting ourselves before a day’s graft.

There’s also a discussion around Making Tax Digital, with the lads talking through the turnover thresholds moving from £50,000 to £30,000 and then £20,000, and what that could mean for smaller self-employed businesses.

And because this is the final Overtime of the season, Pete and Keiran also look back at the guests from the last 10 episodes, from trade business owners and gas engineers to painters, electricians, floor layers and tool repair specialists, and pick out some of the funniest, most useful and most inspiring conversations.

If you’re a plumber, electrician, gas engineer, builder, apprentice or self-employed tradesperson, this episode gets into one of the biggest questions facing the industry right now:

Do we actually need more tradespeople or do we need more work?

👇 Let us know in the comments:

Has work slowed down in your trade recently, or are you busier than ever?

And do you think the UK has a genuine skills shortage?

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⚠️ Warning: Contains adult humour and strong language. Tradesmen banter ahead.

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