Up to 19 per cent of under-25s make up the UK’s construction workforce according to the CITB’s Workforce Skills and Mobility in the Construction Sector report, yet other research shows that by 2035, over one-third of construction workers will have retired.
It comes as approximately one million construction workers are needed by 2032 according to the 2023 UK Trade Skills Index, while 70,000 plumbers are needed by 2032 according to the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering.
And Lawton Tubes - which employs 140 people and is growing its customer-base beyond its traditional markets of plumbing, HVAC, and medical gas into fast-growing industries including data centres and renewable energy - wants to play its part in solving the problem with the launch of Lawton Next Gen.
Lawton Next Gen will involve the roll-out of numerous short videos showcasing top installation tips for plumbers and air conditioning engineers, covering techniques from pipe prepping to bending, as well as how to connect pipes together using multiple techniques.
The initiative will also see Lawton Tubes attending various school careers fairs around the country, alongside forging partnerships with other industry organisations to promote trade careers.
Lawton Next Gen has also been installed as the lead sponsor of InstallerFUTURES, the dedicated student and apprenticeship programme of leading trader exhibition InstallerSHOW, to be held at the NEC between 23 and 25 June.
Explaining the thinking behind Lawton Next Gen, Robert Lawton, Director at Lawton Tubes, said: “Youth unemployment is at its worst for a decade. Those aged 16 to 24 are our future, and so this presents a golden opportunity for tradespeople and organisations to step up and engage with these people to help narrow that gap between those entering and retiring from a trade – and that is what Lawton Next Gen is aiming to achieve.
“I believe young people are given an unfair deal by being perceived in some quarters as disengaged or work-shy, and so Lawton Next Gen is about going out to where the young people are at – both on social media and directly within schools itself – to showcase hands-on insights into the trades.
“Being a plumber, heating or air conditioning engineer are some of the few careers that are AI-proof for a start, and also have strong earning potential, coupled with the opportunity to be your own boss by starting your own business.
“We know trades are facing various barriers to growth and time is money, which is more important than ever, but so is safeguarding the future of key trades.
“We can’t do it on our own though, and that is why we are appealing for other tradespeople and organisations to join our cause, either by collaborating with us on content or by partnering with us at college and school visits.
“Even if Lawton Next Gen inspires others to explore their own ways of working with young people, then we have done our job.
“What’s important is that as an industry, we need to be collectively making efforts to get in front of young people to provide insights into a trade career.”
David Ventris-Field, Event Director at InstallerSHOW, added: “We are thrilled to be working with Lawton Next Gen as a lead sponsor of our InstallerFUTURES initiative.
“With many tradespeople planning to retire in the next five years, it is utterly crucial that we inspire the next generation of talent to take up a valuable career in the trade.
“Lawton Next Gen are doing an incredible job of visiting schools, colleges and training centres. We are proud to be working with them to amplify their work and meet up with some of the young people exploring their next steps.”
And the announcement is also being well-received by colleges. Dudley College of Technology, a Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC), has welcomed the initiative.
John McKeon, Head of CTEC at Dudley College of Technology, said: “Lawton Next Gen is a positive example of how education and industry can work together to improve awareness of construction pathways and the skills young people need to succeed.
“At Dudley College of Technology, and as a CTEC, our focus is on inspiring learners, supporting informed career choices, and equipping students with the technical knowledge and confidence required to progress into further training, apprenticeships, and employment within the sector.”
