Championing Trades Careers At The Trades Awards

The Trades Awards 2018 was a big night this year with more attendees than ever before and a really high energy in the room. We sponsored the Best Trades Business (0 - 10 employees) and I was delighted to present the award to Glulam Solutions Limited.

Cammy Keith (RHS) with members of the Glulam Solutions Team

These awards always make me think about the people behind the success stories, whether it is a company win or a personal one in a category such as Apprentice of the Year or Site Manager of the Year.

In our art competition, My Future Aspirations, we ask pupils to draw or paint their career hopes of the future. It was heartening to see that young people want to become joiners, architects and interior designers, but wouldn't it be great if there had been builders, landscape gardeners, plumbers and electricians too?

Attracting the right level of skills, from working on the tools to management, is challenging for Trades' businesses. Young people are often not aware of the diverse career opportunities and if this doesn't change it will lead to acute skills shortages in the future.

One initiative that is trying to raise awareness of the vast career options available to young people is the Developing Young Workforce Schools Ambassador Programme. If you are passionate about championing the professions and career options in your Trades industry consider becoming a volunteer mentor. For more information contact info@dyw.co.uk.