Overcoming the barrier to the trades

By Emma Peterson. 

A youth panel has identified the lack of focus on apprenticeships as one of the biggest barriers to getting into the trades. 

In 2025, the U.K. government put together a Youth Guarantee Advisory Panel. Made up of 17 young people aged 18-24, this advisory panel met to discuss the barriers facing youth in terms of building careers and brainstorm what can be done to overcome these. The drive for creating this panel now came from the fact that one in eight young people are not currently pursuing education, employment or training. 

One of the main conclusions from the panel was that “lack of focus on apprenticeships in schools as one of the biggest barriers to getting into work or training.” National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC)’s Gray Gibson, their policy and external affairs manager, went into more detail on what they discussed, sharing, “Early insight from the panel has found that some of the most significant obstacles include mental health challenges and an overemphasis in school on UCAS applications instead of tailored careers advice, including alternative options like apprenticeships and training.” 

Filling this need for support is something that NFRC is already involved in. One example of how they are helping the next generation of young people find work is through the England Construction Opportunities (ECO) project. ECO has been a 4-year employment‑led recruitment and retention mentoring programme that supports entry into roofing apprenticeships and sustained employment. 

Delivered through training partners, employers and NFRC, this project saw 70% of the 351 mentees supported retained at 6 months in the job. Of these, 63% were unemployed (short or long term) before starting their apprenticeship job. 

Backed by the Industry Training Board for the U.K. Construction industry (CITB), the ECO project “offers support in the workplace through job coaching, mentoring, employer engagement, peer and buddy systems or other appropriate support measures.” Planned for three years, this project was founded upon research that shows giving new entrants more support increases retention rates.  

If you’re looking to grow your workforce and would like access to mentoring support, complete an enquiry form. Want to learn more about the challenges facing young people entering the workforce? Read NFRC’s response to Alan Milburn's Young People and Work report.