Tradespeople can earn more than £50,000 a year, according to new research from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) which marks National Apprenticeship Week.
The key statistics are:
- Bricklayers, carpenters and plasters can command an average day rate of £175, equating to £53,200 a year;
- Some tradespeople are paid up to £275 a day for their work;
- 54% of construction bosses are struggling to hire bricklayers;
- 53% are struggling to hire carpenters/joiners; and
- 35% are struggling to hire plasterers.
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “There’s never been a better time to start an apprenticeship in construction. A trade apprenticeship not only offers the possibility of earning a good wage but provides an opportunity to set up your own business. The good news is that there plenty of vacancies in construction for young people with a can-do attitude and a willingness to learn.”
Berry concluded: “Builders face numerous challenges going into the new decade that will require the creativity and fresh approach of the new generation to solve. These include tackling climate change, building thousands of well-designed homes, and digitising the built environment. I would encourage anyone interested in a construction apprenticeship to visit GoConstruct.org.”
Notes to editors
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is the largest trade association in the UK construction industry representing thousands of firms in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Established in 1941 to protect the interests of small and medium-sized (SME) construction firms, the FMB is independent and non-profit making, lobbying for members’ interests at both the national and local level.
The FMB is a source of knowledge, professional advice and support for its members, providing a range of modern and relevant business building services to help them succeed. The FMB is committed to raising quality in the construction industry and offers a free Find a Builder service to consumers.
