TRAINING
Working in trade is “cool,” says Gen Z
With university debts rising and concerns around graduate jobs, apprenticeships, and careers in trade are increasingly being seen as the way forward by young people, according to new research by Draper Tools.
T
he survey of 2,000 adults under 28 years of age found that almost half of young people see becoming a tradesperson as a quicker way to earn £100k than going to university. And 53% see such a move paying off , quite literally,
believing they will buy a home quicker if they become a tradesperson than going to university. Just 15% think higher education will help them get on the property ladder quicker than doing an apprenticeship. And only 19% think opting for university instead of an apprenticeship is a good idea.
It also emerged 34% have considered moving industries to become a tradesperson – 46% of men and 28% of women.
A career with broad appeal For those in the poll who had attended university, 29% said they would change their decision to join higher education if they could go back in time. The main reasons for choosing a trade over university are higher earning potential (35%), avoiding student debt (34%) and an ability to start earning sooner (32%). While one in four would rather
work in a hands-on role than be sat at a desk, with 41% preferring to be active while working, research from
OnePoll.com found. And it’s not just about money, 35% like to learn
practical skills, 33% believe there’s a better work-life balance, and 26% enjoy a sense of pride in creating or fi xing something.
Worries about AI are another factor for young people, with a third saying recent advances in AI have made them consider a career in the trade.
Changing perceptions of the trade It also emerged 61% think working in a trade is a “cool job” with 55% saying their perception of being a tradesperson is more positive than fi ve years ago. A third of young people also felt that working in a trade is something to be proud of. Social media infl uencers and TV shows were cited as one of the reasons behind the increased appeal of working in the trade. 55% believe working within a trade is better for personal mental health than working from a desk. And just over a quarter think tradespeople have more fun on the job than offi ce workers.
The most common trades people would join if they
were to move industries are painting and decorating (32%), electrical (20%) and landscaping (20%).
Support for the next generation The research was commissioned by Draper Tools as part of the launch of DXPulse, a new brushless 12V cordless power range, designed to appeal to the new generation of apprentices and trades. Sarah Hartland, Head of Marketing, commented:
“The trade industry is in the midst of a generational shift, with interest in apprenticeships rising and Gen Z starting to favour hands-on careers over traditional university debt. As part of developing DXPulse, we wanted to understand young people’s motivations and fi nd out what the next generation of tradespeople really think.” Critical skills shortages across many trades have been widely reported on, and it seems this news hasn’t passed young people by, with a third of those polled saying the country needs more skilled tradespeople.
Hartland added: “This current interest from young people could turn out to be very signifi cant for the future of the UK construction sector, so we feel it’s important to provide the right support for them.”
16 April 2026 •
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