Young Britons Turn to Trades Amid AI Fears
- ‘Hands-on’ jobs gain appeal as AI reshapes labour market
- Rising demand for construction courses at colleges
- AI prompts young people to plan careers more strategically
As artificial intelligence reshapes te labour market, some young workers in Britain are choosing skilled trades over university degrees. Concerns about automation and job losses are driving interest in hands-on professions such as plumbing, construction, and electrical work. Colleges report rising enrolments in vocational courses, reflecting a shift toward careers seen as more resilient to technological disruption.
Shifting Career Choices
Maryna Yaroshenko, an 18-year-old student originally from Ukraine, is training to become a plumber at the City of Westminster College in London. She believes manual trades are less vulnerable to AI, unlike many white-collar jobs that face automation risks. A recent survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development found that one in six UK employers expect AI tools to reduce headcount within the next year. Yaroshenko sees AI as useful but insists that only humans can perform the intricate tasks required in plumbing and engineering.
Colleges across Britain are reporting increased interest in courses related to engineering, construction, and the built environment. City of Westminster College has seen enrolments in these areas rise by 9.6% over the past three years, a trend linked to both AI’s impact and concerns about university debt. The Trades Union Congress found that half of UK adults worry about AI’s effect on jobs, with younger workers particularly anxious. Researchers at King’s College London noted that AI-driven workforce cuts disproportionately affect junior positions, making it harder for young people to start careers.
Earnings and Opportunities in Trades
Skilled trades often provide competitive salaries and opportunities for self-employment. According to the Office for National Statistics, plumbers earn an average of £37,881 ($50,169) annually, while construction and building trades workers average £35,764. These figures compare with an overall UK average salary of £39,039 across all sectors. College leaders argue that apprenticeships and vocational training can sometimes offer better earning potential than university degrees, especially for those seeking job security.
Undergraduate enrolments at UK universities fell by 1.1% in 2023/24, marking the first annual decline in nearly a decade. Analysts suggest that rising tuition costs and uncertainty about graduate job prospects are contributing to this shift. Robotics technology continues to advance, but experts say tasks such as plumbing remain too complex for automation in the near future. The growing demand for skilled workers highlights how AI is not only reshaping white-collar employment but also reinforcing the value of manual trades in Britain’s economy.
