A Level results day 2025 is here. Maybe your grades didn’t go to plan, you’re rethinking university, or you’re just not sure what to do next. Here’s the good news: the trades are booming in 2025, and there’s never been a better, more respected time to build a real career in skilled work. Logic4training has distilled everything you need to know to take control of your future, showing you why and how the trades could be your gateway to stability, opportunity, and long-term success.
Results Day 2025: What Happens Now?
A Level results day falls on Thursday 14 August 2025 across England, Northern Ireland, and Wales: the day that often shapes the immediate future for school leavers. If your grades weren’t what you’d hoped for, don’t panic. Clearing is open from 5 July until 20 October 2025, providing a second chance to secure a university place.
But university isn’t the only path, and the idea that uni is the only route to success is now being challenged more than ever by changing times, technology, and industry needs.
Why Consider a Career in the Trades in 2025?
A Sector Thriving on Change and Demand
The UK faces a huge shortfall of skilled tradespeople in 2025. Ambitious housebuilding targets (1.5 million homes over five years), decarbonisation efforts, and an ageing workforce mean hundreds of thousands of new trades jobs are up for grabs. Electricians, plumbers, gas engineers, carpenters, HVAC specialists, and renewable energy technicians are some of the most sought-after professionals this year.
Key facts:
- Skills Shortage: Predicted need for 217,000 additional workers by year-end 2025, and 1 million more by 2032 to meet UK growth and sustainability targets.
- High Demand Trades in 2025: Electricians, Plumbers, General Builders, Carpenters, HVAC Specialists, Renewable Energy Technicians, Construction Managers, and Prefabrication Specialists.
- Rising Salaries: Many skilled trades regularly earn above the national average. Electricians and plumbers can see starting salaries over £28,000, with potential to rise above £40,000 when qualified or self-employed.
Real Jobs, Real Skills, Real Security
Trades offer direct, practical career paths with less debt and more control. Unlike university, you can often “earn while you learn” through apprenticeships, or fast-track your career by upskilling with an accredited training provider like Logic4training.
Why start a trade right now:
- Be your own boss: Flexible, freelance and self-employed options are the norm.
- Future-proofed from AI: Many skilled manual roles are resistant to automation and artificial intelligence, offering long-term security.
- Career development: Move from hands-on jobs to management, or even into specialist consultancy roles as your expertise grows.
- Job satisfaction: See the results of your work and make a real difference in people’s homes, businesses, and communities.
See how our student Josh chose to learn a trade rather than going to university:
Meet the Most In-Demand Trades of 2025
| Trade | Why in Demand This Year | Average Salaries/Shortfall |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | Renewable energy, EV, smart home boom, skills gap | £38,000-£50,000+ |
| Plumber / Gas Engineer | Green heating, new builds, upgrades, retrofits | £30,000-£40,000+, 59,000 shortfall |
| General Builder | Huge housebuilding targets, infrastructure investment | 41,500 vacancies |
| Carpenter / Joiner | Modular homes, renovations, sustainable materials | 4,791 vacancies |
| HVAC / Heat Pump Specialist | Decarbonisation, heat pumps, low-carbon heating | Thousands of roles |
| Renewable Energy Technician | Solar, batteries, sustainability push | High demand |
| Construction Manager | Project growth, leadership roles, ageing workforce | 3,600+ needed annually |
| Prefabrication Specialist | Modular/offsite build, speed and efficiency | Growing demand |
For an in-depth view on these trades and what they pay, head over to our article Trade Skills That Matter: The Best Trade to Learn in the UK.
Additionally, you can see the day rates and how much our candidates charge their customers:
Apprenticeships and Training: Find the Best Fit for You
With university costs rising and the jobs landscape shifting, apprenticeships and vocational training are more attractive than ever. In 2025, the government has expanded funding, with 120,000+ new training places and an extra 30,000 apprenticeship starts announced this year.
Types of training available:
- Apprenticeships: Learn on the job, get paid, and work towards recognised qualifications. [Minimum wage for first-year apprentices is £7.55/hour as of April 2025].
- Private Training Providers: Flexible paths with real-world skills and industry connections. Logic4training, for example, is a leading provider offering hands-on, accredited training trusted by employers for over two decades. Browse our course catalogue for details.
- College Courses: Traditional routes, often combined with site experience.
For a step-by-step guide to getting started, read our article: Learn a Trade in 2025: A Complete Guide.
Comparing University and the Trades in 2025
| University | Trades |
|---|---|
| Expensive: average graduate debt over £45,000 | Earn while you learn: get paid from day one with apprenticeships |
| 3-4 years (or more) before earning full salary | Train and qualify in as little as 12 months |
| Competitive grad job market: less demand, more supply | Skills shortage: high demand for qualified tradespeople |
| Academic/professional careers: theory-focused | Practical, hands-on learning and immediate job outcomes |
| Work across fields, but jobs often city-based | Trades needed UK-wide, often with local demand |
| Vulnerable to automation and market shifts | Manual trades more resistant to automation/AI |
For an honest look at the reality of both routes, check out our blog: University vs Trades: Which is Right for You?.
What About AI? Future-Proofing Your Career
The rise of AI is transforming every industry, but trades careers are among the best protected. Each job brings new challenges, requires creative problem solving, and demands a level of dexterity that robots can’t match (yet). From heat pump installations to complex rewiring, no two days or buildings are the same. For more, see our deep-dive: AI Job Losses & Why Tradespeople Are Safe from AI.
Where Logic4training Comes In
With over 20 years of experience, Logic4training is recognised as one of the UK’s leading providers of trades training, delivering accredited courses, industry partnerships, and job-ready candidates across the country. Our instructors are seasoned professionals, not just teachers. We equip you with skills that employers want now and in the future. We are trusted by thousands of trainees, new starters, and career-changers every year. Join them and build a career that really matters.
Explore our full range of accredited courses:
- Apprenticeships
- Plumbing Courses
- Gas Courses
- Electrical Courses
- Renewables & Heat Pumps
- Refrigeration Courses
- Oil Courses
- Property Maintenance Courses
- Smart Meter Courses
Ready for a Fresh Start? Here’s What to Do
- Explore your options: Think about your strengths, interests, and which trades appeal to you. Take a look at training provider’s career pathways.
- Decide how to train: Apprenticeship, private provider or college. Pick what fits your goals and timeline.
- Get advice: Speak to experts, current tradespeople, and training providers. At Logic4training, you can speak to our course advisors to help explain what options you have.
- Commit to your new path: The sooner you begin, the sooner you’ll build experience, confidence, and a CV that opens doors.
FAQs
What are the most in-demand trades in the UK for 2025?
Electricians, plumbers, gas engineers, builders, carpenters, HVAC specialists, renewable energy technicians, and construction managers lead the field.
Can I earn while I learn in the trades?
Yes, apprenticeships and some training providers allow you to earn a wage from day one, avoiding university debt.
Do the trades offer real career progression?
Absolutely. There are opportunities to progress into team leadership, project management, consultancy, and self-employment as your experience grows.
Are trade jobs safe from automation and AI?
Generally yes. Trades require adaptability, practical problem-solving, and hands-on skills that AI and robots cannot easily replicate. AI can help improve the admin and design aspects of being a tradesperson, but to actually complete the hands-on jobs, they can’t do them.
Is 2025 a good time for a career change?
Now is arguably the best time. There are major shortfalls in skilled labour, wages are rising, and there’s huge variety, opportunity, and longevity in the trades.
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