Latest news with #tradespeople
The Independent
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Watch: Karoline Leavitt says America needs more plumbers, less LGBTQ Harvard graduates
America needs more tradespeople rather than ' LGBTQ Harvard graduates', Karoline Leavitt has said. Speaking on Fox News, the White House Press Secretary said that Donald Trump wants to give taxpayer money to institutions that 'promote American values' and teach 'skills we need most in our country'. Ms Leavitt said that the Trump administration sees plumbers and electricians as more valuable to society than LGBTQ graduates from the Ivy League university. Her remarks come as the President seeks to pull an estimated $100million (£74milllion) in funding from Harvard - America's oldest university. She also slammed the institution for its 'illegal, criminal antisemetic behaviour' of allowing pro-Palestine protests on campus, a subject that has seen the Trump administration and the university at loggerheads.
Irish Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
‘Without people to build homes, it won't happen': Construction workers decry shortage of tradespeople
The 120-year-old Co-operative Society in Templecrone, Co Donegal , has a pile of construction materials gathering dust in its warehouse. Mark Sharkey, chief executive of the Co-operative, says numerous orders are on ice while contractors search for workers to complete the construction of local houses and offices. 'I think we have a dozen rooves ready to go but there's no tradesmen available to put them up,' says Sharkey. 'There's no roofers, no plasterers, no block layers. Talking to other businesses, there's real frustration because it's holding back the industry.' The lack of tradespeople in the construction market should be 'declared a national emergency, because it is a national emergency', Sharkey says. 'We're apolitical but there needs to be some leadership shown here.' Kevin McHugh, senior project manager of the CCP limited construction company in Donegal, says Irish construction workers under the age of 30 have become 'a rare breed'. READ MORE 'The skills shortage dates back to the bank collapse in 2008 – careers offices stopped apprenticeships, which discouraged people from going into construction,' says McHugh. 'The colleges are now flooded with apprenticeships but it's going to be years before these people are available, it's too little too late. There's no one there under 30. I have one guy and he's the youngest at 42 – the boys joke he has a spring in his step.' Sharkey and McHugh are two of a growing number of Irish construction business owners struggling to find tradespeople to complete housing and retrofitting projects. A recent report from the ODI international think tank, into how immigration policy can help solve workforce challenges, warned that the State was facing an 'immense challenge' in meeting national retrofitting and housing targets. This is because of the 'substantial' lack of plumbers, electricians, carpenters and insulation operatives. Between 30,000 to 60,000 tradespeople are needed to meet the Government's target of retrofitting 500,000 homes and installing 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes by the end of 2030, according to the report which was published last year. To meet these objectives, Ireland must attract more non-European workers to come here, it advises. Migrant workers are now 'driving increases' in the Irish construction workforce and 'all evidence points to a future increasing reliance on migrant construction workers from non-EU countries', says the report. Brazilians are gaining access to the construction sector through student visas, while some firms go directly to direct provision centres to recruit international protection applicants, it adds. There is also 'anecdotal evidence' that Georgian asylum seekers are taking up working on construction sites soon after they arrive in Ireland. The report acknowledges most workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) are now eligible to apply to come to Ireland through the general employment permit, but warns smaller Irish firms, which 'dominate' the construction sector, struggle to use this system 'given their low administrative capacity'. The Government should put all construction occupations on its critical skills visa list to attract non-European workers to Ireland, or create an enhanced general employment permit so workers can bring immediate family here without delay, the report recommends. At present, non-EEA tradespeople who come to Ireland through this permit must wait a year before bringing family. Martin Markey, chief executive of Hardware Association Ireland (HAI), which represents those selling building materials, echoed this call last October when he wrote to the Minister for Enterprise requesting the addition of 'plumbers, carpenters/joiners, electricians, tilers and brick/block layers' to the Government's critical skills occupations list. Over 90 per cent of our members say building projects are being postponed or abandoned due to a shortage of tradespeople — Martin Markey 'Our marketplace is flat – the first six months of this year shows 0 per cent growth compared to 2023,' wrote Markey in a letter released to The Irish Times under a Freedom of Information request. 'We all know that there is a huge level of pent-up demand for housing... these homes can only be built when we have people with the requisite skills to build them. We need to encourage trained people from abroad to help us build the country.' Speaking with The Irish Times, Markey agrees that small businesses struggle to navigate the general permit system for hiring staff from abroad. He said: 'Even if you do find someone from Georgia to work on a site, you then have to find them a home. And there's no homes. 'Over 90 per cent of our members say building projects are being postponed or abandoned due to a shortage of tradespeople. Without a core of tradespeople, who's going to build the houses? There's no standing army of unemployed plumbers or carpenters. You can have all the targets you like but without people to build homes, it won't happen.' Data from the Department of Further and Higher Education shows the registration of apprentice plumbers remains 'well below' what is needed to meet housing and retrofitting targets. Some 792 plumbing, heating and ventilation engineers registered for apprenticeship programmes in 2022, far below the 1,342 required to meet demand. Current numbers are 'broadly sufficient' to meet the requirements of 'either the house-building subsector or the home retrofitting subsector, but not both', according to the department's forecast of skills analysis from October, 2024 . It also warned of 'very few plumbers being attracted to Ireland under the work permit schemes'. Claire Kumar, senior research fellow with the ODI think tank, and co-author of last year's report, says the Government's visa permit system is too focused on highly-skilled degree holders and 'does not recognise the critical technical skills' of construction workers. 'The statement we've heard most often is 'we must maintain the integrity of the immigration system',' says Kumar. 'It's polite code for reinforcing a classist immigration system.' I don't think it's correct to say we don't have visa pathways — Ángel Bello-Cortés After the 2004 EU expansion, Ireland's construction industry had 'workers on tap with labour mobility', she says. 'Everything has shifted now.' 'Making your visa more attractive does make attracting talent easier. These are mid-skilled professionals, not young men happy to travel alone. They want to bring their families here.' A spokesman for the Department of Justice said the critical skills list 'reflects specific roles deemed to be critically important to the economy and in significant shortage of supply in the labour market'. The department's policy document for non-EEA family reunification is currently under review, he added. Ángel Bello-Cortés, a partner with Fragomen, who specialises in immigration matters, says Ireland's work permit system is 'internationally respected'. However, he acknowledges the creation of a 'sector-specific work permit' would help bring more tradespeople here. 'I don't think it's correct to say we don't have visa pathways, but is the construction industry sufficiently engaging with the existing pathways?' [ Ireland's housing perma-crisis returns to centre of political agenda Opens in new window ] [ Housebuilding in Dublin to stall within three years if wastewater plant not delivered Opens in new window ] A Department of Enterprise spokesman said 'almost all construction sector roles' were now eligible for general employment permits but that the recruitment of skilled non-EEA labour was a 'short-term measure to meet labour market needs'. Paul Sheridan, a director with the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), disputes claims that Ireland does not have the workforce to meet housing targets but says retrofitting should be 'dealt with separate to the delivery of critical infrastructure like housing'. Residential production increased by 94 per cent between 2011 and 2021, and housing completion rose by 570 per cent between 2012 and 2023, says Sheridan. The number of people required to work on sites has dropped 35 per cent with the modernisation of equipment, he says. 'I'm not saying we don't need to attract new talent into the country but we're saying we can deliver, we can scale up and meet the needs of Government and the private sector.'
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
We want a new kitchen but tradesmen don't return our calls or give us quotes - why?
We moved into a two-bedroom terraced house six months ago. The house needs quite a lot of work doing to it. The kitchen and bathroom need replacing, and we're keen to get new doors installed. The small garden also needs clearing as it's very overgrown. We're finding it really difficult to get tradespeople to come and do any work on the house. Some trades we've been in touch with haven't returned our calls or emails. Others have come to do a quote but then gone completely silent. We've been speaking to other people who've had similar problems. Why is this happening, and what we can do to get tradespeople to come and work for us? The house is small, so maybe they don't see it as a big or lucrative enough project. Jane Denton, of This is Money, replies: The two experts I spoke to suggest a large part of the issue is a skills shortage. Put simply, there aren't enough people working in, or training to become part of, the trades sector. This means many decent tradespeople are booked up months or even years in advance. However, being given the silent treatment by a tradesperson after they've come to house to look at the job that needs doing is, I believe, bad manners and unprofessional. Those doing this don't give the industry a good name in the eyes of customers. If a tradesperson can't fit your job in or doesn't want to do it, they should be upfront. A simple one-line email, text or phone call to say they can't assist would be suffice. If possible, try and use tradespeople recommended to you by family or friends. If using online reviews to select trades, check them carefully to ensure they are verified. Good tradespeople are worth waiting for, even if it means your house won't be fixed as quickly as you'd hoped. Clive Holland, a broadcaster on Fix Radio, says: You're not the only one struggling to find a builder, with our own research at Fix Radio finding that over 400,000 people in Britain are waiting more than a year to get building work done. While your frustration is understandable, the good news is it's not personal, and you can improve your situation. There are several reasons behind the current shortage. A third of construction workers are nearing retirement, while apprenticeship numbers have dropped, reducing the pipeline of new talent. With more than a third of tradespeople now self-employed, many simply don't have the capacity to take on smaller or more involved jobs without long lead times. That said, there are ways to get your job seen and booked in. First, get specific. Create a clear list of what needs to be done and group the tasks by trade. A detailed, well-organised brief helps a busy tradesperson quickly assess whether the job fits their skills and availability. Second, don't underestimate the value of local networks. Builders' merchants are excellent sources of insight, as they often know which local tradespeople are reliable, available and suited to the work you need. These companies will hardly ever offer up bad tradespeople. It's also worth speaking to neighbours, posting in local groups online, or using trusted online platforms to find well-recommended professionals. Timing matters too. Many tradespeople get booked months in advance, especially in spring and summer. If you can be flexible, perhaps start your work in the winter or agree to stagger work in stages, as you're more likely to get a foot in the door. Good tradespeople are usually busy so be prepared to wait. If they can start tomorrow, that can be a red flag. Finally, make it clear to prospective tradespeople that you're serious about getting the work done. If you've already received quotes, follow up promptly, and when booking someone be transparent about your budget and timelines. I always recommend putting everything in writing as building trust is a two-way street. There's no denying Britain faces a skills crisis, but that shows just how valued skilled tradespeople are. By being proactive, respectful and well-prepared, you'll find the right team to help turn your house into the home you want. Andy Simms, a construction expert says: Sadly, this issue is one that we are hearing a lot, as the reality of the trades skill shortage starts to bite. Unfortunately, despite the trades offering an abundance of great career opportunities, impressive rates of pay and a fantastic springboard to running your own business, the sector has long been overlooked as a career choice. Recent research we ran showed that only one in 10 children or young adults in school and colleges were being told about the option of trades as a career. It's a great shame, because the trades continue to thrive and aren't threatened by the same external factors other industries are worried about such as AI. Statistics show that the skills shortage is critical, with over 1million new tradespeople needing to be recruited by 2030. Yet their skills are more in demand than ever. Make sure you plan well in advance. Some popular builders are booked up a year in advance, so if you have asked about a job that needs doing soon, they might not even reply. If you can, start the process of finding a tradesperson before you need them. For building work, a year or so is not excessive, and for smaller jobs, you may still need to give it several months. Second, tradespeople are very busy and some have a preferred way of contact - if they don't respond to emails, give them a call or send a text. Maybe even contact them on social media - they might not be ignoring you, they may just not monitor the method of communication you have tried them on. Third, make sure you include as much information as you can. A tradesperson gets so many requests to come and quote for jobs, and they are more likely to get in touch if they have all the information that they need from you. The more you sound like you know what you want, the more likely it is that the tradesperson will want to work with you. How to find a new mortgage Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible. Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C > Mortgage rates calculator > Find the right mortgage for you What if I need to remortgage? Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act. Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it. Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees. Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone. What if I am buying a home? Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be. Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people's borrowing ability and buying power. How to compare mortgage costs The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker. This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice. Interested in seeing today's best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs. If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you. > Find your best mortgage deal with This is Money and L&C Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Nearly one in 5 traders feel lonely at work – with plumbers & electricians struggling the most, poll finds
NEARLY one in five tradespeople feel lonely at work – with plumbers and electricians struggling the most. A study of 500 sole traders who work in construction or utilities found 17 per cent also feel isolated while at work and 22 per cent feel overwhelmed. 2 A quarter of plumbers even claimed they spend as much as 90 per cent of their working day alone. A lack of social interactions (53 per cent) and long working hours (49 per cent) were the top contributors, with 40 per cent finding it difficult with sharing work-related concerns. But plumbers and electricians (both 20 per cent) were most likely to experience loneliness, with this dropping to 10 per cent for those in construction. It also emerged 65 per cent of plumbers often struggle with the business and admin side of the job, compared to just 54 per cent of those in construction. As a result, three quarters of plumbers confessed to feeling burnt out – more than any other profession polled. Daniel Martin, for Mira Showers, which commissioned the research and is aiming to support plumbers and installers, said: "It can be tricky to manage workload, especially for sole traders. "Long days at work and relying on a workforce of one can lead to a certain feeling of isolation and loneliness. "One of the biggest unseen factors in this, is when the physical job is done, there are still a lot of business and admin tasks left to do. "This can be overwhelming, especially given many tradespeople have no formal training for this side of the job, which increases their working day." The study also found 80 per cent of the tradespeople polled admit to feeling pressured to work more hours than they believe they should each day, with this rising to 82 per cent of plumbers and installers. 'survey reveals what your ice cream eating habits could say about your personality' Although 67 per cent of this profession enjoy being their own boss, this goes hand in hand with specific additional tasks away from the tools. Communicating with clients (46 per cent), managing invoices (45 per cent), and tax returns (45 per cent) are the most common additional jobs handled by solo workers. Almost half (49 per cent) teach themselves the skills for these tasks through research and learning, while 44 per cent rely on trial and error. Tax returns (18 per cent) cause the biggest headache for those plumbers and installers who take it on themselves. A cry for help is not uncommon across the board for trades, with 60 per cent admitting they have looked for support with this side of the job. However, a lack of budget to cover the cost (31 per cent) was the main reason stopping them in this pursuit. While 22 per cent were unsure where to even begin to look for the help they need. It also revealed 79 per cent of the plumbers polled, via OnePoll, wish they could spend more time with loved ones, but are too busy with work. With sleep quality (30 per cent), time for relaxation (28 per cent), and stress levels (28 per cent) among the other things that also suffer as a result of their busy schedule. Daniel Martin for Mira Showers added: "This research has confirmed a lot of what we already knew, especially within the plumbing and installing community. "The pressures of work for these, like many of us, have a wider impact on home and social lives. "Although this increases the feeling of loneliness, there are people and tools out there that can help lighten the load and make things more manageable. 'Through our online platform, InstallerPRO, we hope to provide plumbers with the advice they need to better balance their life, including tips on improved business acumen and healthier lunch choices.' KATE WATSON-SMYTH'S TOP TIPS TO HELP RENTERS EMBRACE THE SPACE AND EVERY CORNER OF THEIR HOME Swap harsh lighting for warm white LED bulbs to create a softer, more inviting atmosphere and save energy. Upgrade your shower head for better water pressure, efficiency, and a more enjoyable daily routine. Keep the old one so you can swap it back when you leave. Use your own curtains to personalize your space and add thermal lining for extra warmth and energy savings. Swap back before you go and use them again. Block draughts with homemade excluders that are easy to make, store, and hang when not in use. Hang art without damaging walls using picture rails or self-adhesive hooks for a renter-friendly personal touch. Work with unchangeable décor by matching existing features with coordinated accessories for a cohesive look. Soften your kitchen's look with tile stickers, new cabinet handles, and warm lighting like a countertop lamp. Remember to put the original handles back when you move out. Request a smart meter to monitor energy use in near-real time and manage your bills more efficiently. 2
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Top 12 home improvement jobs from that have FALLEN in price revealed from plumbing to tiling
THE cost of carrying out home improvements has fallen by as much as 34% in the last 12 months. Exclusive data from Checkatrade has revealed the 12 DIY jobs that have seen the biggest price falls - and the combined savings total almost £11,000. Falling building costs have made carrying out home improvements more affordable for homeowners, with the average cost of a job down 28%. The reductions follow several years of price rises caused by factors including increased material prices across the board. Builders and tradespeople were also impacted by supply chain disruptions, which created scarcity and drove up prices further. Add to this inflation, energy costs and labour shortages and consumers had got used to receiving eye-watering quotes since 2020. However, data shows that prices have begun to fall and unsurprisingly the reduction in costs has seen a significant increase in those undertaking work on their homes in 2025. The biggest fall in prices has been seen in handyman services with the average cost of a job carried out in the first three months of 2025 34% cheaper than it was in 2024. The second largest reduction was seen in building work with the average price of a job falling by 28%, from £16,818 to £12,065. Other home improvements to have seen big price reductions include tiling (25%), electrical works (25%), scaffolding (22%) and windows doors and conservatories (22%). These were followed by bricklaying, which saw a 21% price decrease from an average of £3,165 in 2024 to £2,489 in 2025. Other jobs to have fallen include central heating work (18%), plumbing (17%) and groundworks (16%). Jambu Palaniappan, CEO at Checkatrade, said: 'After ongoing rising costs fuelled by Brexit and Covid, it's a welcome relief for consumers to see prices finally easing. "We've seen demand for some of the bigger home improvement jobs dip over the past year, and as demand has slowed, prices have followed – making it more affordable for people to get work done. "This drop in costs, combined with the usual seasonal uptick we see at the start of the year, has led to a big rise in certain types of home improvement projects recently, as consumers take advantage of better prices." Checkatrade has warned that the sudden reduction in price could leave consumers at risk of cowboys charging above market rates. So, the tradesperson platform has launched a Job Estimate Calculator to help people make informed decisions before appointing a contractor. The free-to-use tool draws on data from 1.5million jobs completed by the site's 50,000 vetted trade businesses to generate accurate quotes for projects. Many people have shared stories of cowboy builders with The Sun including a dad left almost bankrupt after sinking £120,000 on a nightmare loft conversion. A mum also told The Sun she had her life ruined after "cowboy builders" took nearly £200,000 for a home renovation. How to find a reliable trader Checkatrade and GoCompare have shared tips for spotting a cowboy. The warning signs: Someone who asks for a cash payment upfront A trader who refuses to draw up an official contract for work Doesn't offer written estimates including a timeline for completing the job Doesn't offer references from previous clients Say they work 'off the books' Anyone who knocks on your door and says they've noticed you need work doing Traders without an official premises or landline phone number Those who aren't a member of a reputable trade group, such as the Federation of Master Builders or the National Federation of Builders Their workforce keeps changing They repeatedly find further work that needs completing
