Trade skills shortages on the increase say small businesses - 10 January 2003
- 67 per cent of small businesses think the Government is not doing enough -Almost 85 per cent of small businesses in Britain believe that there is a shortage of skilled trades people and 61 per cent believe that shortages have worsened in the last two years, according to the latest Small Business Watch survey commissioned by Yellow Pages.
The research indicates that the south has suffered the most - almost 70 per cent of businesses in southern England said that the shortages have worsened, followed by Scotland and Yorkshire (both 63 per cent). Wales and the North West were least concerned with shortages - just over half the businesses in these areas felt that they were getting worse.
The result of these shortages has been an increase in delays experienced by businesses before trade work can commence. Eighty six per cent of those surveyed have tried to use a trade person in the last two years and 17 per cent experienced an unacceptable delay. The biggest delays were experienced with roofers at 28 per cent, followed by builders (26 per cent) and plumbers (24 per cent). The least delays were experienced with mechanics, locksmiths and glaziers.
These delays are likely to cause serious commercial damage to businesses if the trend continues. Currently five per cent of businesses have experienced a measurable impact, including lost business efficiency, lost time at work and lost revenue.
In an effort to overcome the problem, research shows that businesses would even resort to DIY, tackling work to their own business premises. In fact, 68 per cent of those who suffered from a delay said they would carry out their own carpentry, and 57 per cent said they would tackle decorating. Respondents were least likely to attempt work normally carried out by electricians (21 per cent) and locksmiths (11 per cent).
This trend is mirrored by the experiences of British homeowners in a parallel survey conducted by MORI for Yellow Pages, in which 54 per cent of those surveyed believe that there is a shortage of skilled trades people in their area. Eighty five per cent of homeowners said they would consider tackling work themselves. Of these, 80 per cent said they would try painting and decorating, 52 per cent would try tiling and 54 per cent would replace a light switch (source: MORI November 2002).
The Yellow Pages research also tested SME’s views on causes of the trade skills shortages. Sixty seven per cent do not think the government is doing enough to resolve them with lack of training opportunities and funding seen by 24 per cent as the primary cause, 21 per cent citing poor perceptions of trades as a career, and a similar number pointing to over-emphasis on other educational routes.
Government figures indicate that only about six per cent of employers have any involvement in apprenticeship schemes while Yellow Pages research shows that 39 per cent of businesses would consider employing an apprentice. Despite this only ten per cent of businesses surveyed had had any contact with the Modern Apprenticeship Scheme in the past two years.
John Condron, chief executive of Yell, publisher of Yellow Pages, said: "The findings clearly indicate that small businesses - the entrepreneurial backbone of the country - are increasingly affected by shortages in the trade skills area. This is a serious trend and one which could have a major impact on the economy if it continues."
Sally Low, director of policy and external affairs at the British Chamber of Commerce, added: "This report casts very useful light on a previously unexplored but very important part of the debate about trade skills. Small businesses are the breeding ground for our entrepreneurial spirit and we believe that government and employers should look at the issues raised. Consideration should be given to more employment and educational initiatives and funding for young people throughout the country."
