New Lightcast Report Reveals 820,000 Skilled Trades Openings Across the UK Over the Next Decade

BASINGSTOKE, UK, 23 SEPTEMBER 2026 – The UK is projected to see around 820,000 openings in skilled trades occupations over the next decade, according to a new report from global labour market intelligence leader Lightcast.

The Hard Hat Economy: A Data-Driven View of Skilled Trades Across the UK comes amid renewed government focus on technical education and apprenticeships, including Prime Minister Andy Burnham's pledge that Britain will "value the hard hat every bit as much as the graduation cap."

What Does the Report Show?

Lightcast's analysis finds that skilled trades already account for 2.6 million jobs, or 8% of UK employment, but that demand for these workers varies significantly by occupation and geography. Just ten occupations account for nearly 60% of projected openings over the next decade.

The report also identifies disparities between labour market demand and the talent pipeline. In Construction, for example, there were just over 21,000 course completions in 2025, compared with nearly 52,000 job openings. 

"If the economy were a house, skilled trades would be the foundation: they keep the economy powered, connected, and moving. Yet they remain some of the most overlooked jobs in the country," said Elena Magrini, Head of Global Research at Lightcast.

"The renewed focus on these roles is welcome, but turning that ambition into action requires data: data that shows where workers are needed, where the talent pipeline is falling short, and where investment in skills and training can make the biggest difference."

The report shows that the skilled trades challenge cannot be understood through national headline figures alone. Skilled trades employment grew by 4% between 2015 and 2025, but growth varied considerably across the country – from 12.4% in London to a 6.6% decline in Wales. Northern Ireland, meanwhile, has the highest concentration of skilled trades employment relative to its overall labour market. 

The role of apprenticeships also varies significantly between occupations. They account for around 75% of the education pipeline for Transportation Operations and Maintenance, but only around 5% in Construction.

Beyond demand and supply, the report uses skills data to show how employers, education providers, and policymakers can identify changing skills requirements, potential feeder occupations, and career pathways within the skilled trades. 

Read the report: https://lightcast.io/resources/research/the-hard-hat-economy

About the Data in the Report

The Hard Hat Economy uses the UK's official definition of skilled trades, covering 57 occupations identified by the Office for National Statistics. Lightcast combines this standardised definition and official data sources with its own proprietary data and methodology to provide a more granular view of the skilled trades workforce.

All analysis in the report was produced using Lightcast's Analyst labour market intelligence platform, which enables organisations to explore labour market trends for their own region or sector.

About Lightcast

Lightcast is a global leader in labour market intelligence, empowering smarter decisions for businesses, education institutions, and governments worldwide. With the world's most comprehensive database—spanning over 3 billion job postings, 1.2 billion career profiles, and 100+ government sources—Lightcast delivers unparalleled insight into skills, jobs, companies, professional profiles, and workforce trends across 165 countries. Our proprietary taxonomies, advanced AI, and expert guidance transform complex data into clear, actionable intelligence.

Recognized as one of America's Top WorkTech Companies by TIME, Lightcast is regularly cited in top news outlets as the leading source of data and insights on AI, skills, and demographic shifts in the labor market.

Lightcast has offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, New Zealand, and India. Learn more at lightcast.io