Screwfix Reaches Trade Apprentice Milestone in Drive to Tackle Skills Shortage

Screwfix has proudly funded over 50 trade apprentices through its partnership with flexi-job apprenticeship agency, TrAC. The milestone reflects the omni-channel retailers’ commitment to help tackle the skills shortage and encourage more people to pursue a career in the trade. 

Since launching in 2022, Screwfix has funded the apprentices across a wide range of skilled trades, from plumbing and electrical through to landscaping and painting and decorating.

To help remove the cost and administrative barriers associated with taking on an apprentice, TrAC matches apprentices with businesses and provides ongoing support throughout the apprenticeship journey. Screwfix provides the much-needed financial support by committing a percentage of their apprenticeship levy to fund the training of the apprenticeships. 

In its 2025 Voice of the Trade report, Screwfix found that 25% of respondents are thinking of retirement in the next 5 years and 24% were under the age of 44, reflecting a growing skills gap in the trade that initiatives like this aim to address. 

In its latest report, Screwfix urged the government to promote the value of flexi-job apprenticeship agencies, such as TrAC, that manage the process to support both the needs of the apprentice and employer. 

Paris Hall, completed his apprenticeship through TrAC, he said: "Without this support, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It’s given me the chance to learn, grow and build a future in a trade that I love. Through Screwfix and TrAC, I’ve even been invited to Parliament to speak with MPs about the importance of apprenticeships in the trade." 

Jack Wallace, Screwfix Marketing Director: “We’re incredibly proud to have reached this milestone as apprentices are vital to the future of the industry. We’re committed to supporting the next generation of tradespeople as part of our effort to help tackle the growing skills shortage." 

Building on the success of their partnership with TrAC in the East Region, Screwfix are now working with BESAS, the Built Environment Shared Apprenticeship Service, to offer support across England. 

Paul Wright, TrAC Project Director: “The support Screwfix brings to TrAC and to all the apprentices it employs is invaluable and much appreciated.  Being able to now extend this support through our membership of the Built Environment Shared Apprenticeship Service to the rest of England is key, as the BESAS partnership exists to grow relationships with businesses on a national level, so that we can support and help more apprentices and Built Environment businesses nationally with our other partners.  Working with Screwfix has been an absolute pleasure, as it’s clear to see their top-down support for Apprenticeships and Skills. I look forward to the next 50 apprentices, and beyond.” 

For over a decade Screwfix has championed the very best trade apprentices through its annual Screwfix Trade Apprentice competition. The competition has boosted the career of previous winners who walked away with the title and ultimate £10k prize bundle of tools, tech and training. Returning for 2026, applications are open from 2nd to 15th February. To find out more, visit Trade Apprentice | Screwfix.

To find out more about the 2025 Voice of the Trade Report, visit Screwfix Media Centre

Source : Screwfix

Image : Screwfix

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