A hands-on careers programme for schools
About Try a Trade
We’re helping students in Years 10 and 11 to discover more about careers in the trades, through experiential learning sessions, hands-on activities, and first-hand access to people already working in a trade.
Try a Trade careers days, powered by Checkatrade, are aiming to help plug a national trade skills gap of almost ONE MILLION workers over the next decade, by connecting young people with a world of limitless possibilities in a trades career.
What to expect
- A hands-on experiential session giving young people a flavour of life in the trades, from exploring electronics using robots, to understanding the basics of gas heaters, or even getting to grips with the basics of plumbing
- Plenty of advice and support
- The chance to meet and speak to real tradespeople and training providers
A Try a Trade careers day aims to break down barriers to access in the trade industry, and open young people’s minds to the earning power and potential of life as a tradesperson.
Inspiring hands-on workshops
We’re supporting schools and school careers advisers to explore new and exciting ways to inspire young people in years 10 and 11 about vocational qualifications and trades apprenticeships – because academic routes don’t suit everyone. We’ll provide the resources and role models to help get students work-ready, connecting them directly with champions of industry and fantastic trade employers aiming to find their next great trade talents.
For employers, we connect them to young people who are motivated to start a new trade career – helping them find their next ambitious new superstar trade apprentice.
For secondary schools
- Access to school resources to help showcase vocational trade careers
- We’ll equip young people with the skills and confidence to start their trade career journey
- We’ll share careers advice and support to both students and parents, helping them find trade job opportunities in their areas
- We’ll work with local training providers and trade SMEs to connect your students to real-world possibilities
For employers
- You can be a role model, inspiring a new generation of tradespeople
- You can directly influence and build new careers – inspiring others to be just like you
- We’ll give you direct access to motivated, ambitious young people – the tradespeople of the future
How to get involved?
How can schools book Try a Trade?
Wherever you’re based in the UK, start that journey now and you could bring your careers days to life in a new and exciting way.
It’s easy! Complete the form and we’ll be in touch to arrange everything you need to bring Try a Trade to your school.
For businesses
If you’re an employer and want to inspire the next generation, we’d love to hear from you too. We’re always on the lookout for tradespeople and trades businesses that want to give back.
Many trades leaders were inspired by someone special in their own lives – and you could be that person for many more young people: The UK’s next generation of trades talent.
Simply complete the form and we’ll be in touch with all the details.
Get our flyer
If you’d like to share information about the careers programme in your school
or in your business, simply download our flyer.
Guides and advice
Adding Apprenticeship Options to Your School Careers Resources
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Apprentices: What are the options after an apprenticeship?
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How to write a cover letter for your apprenticeship application
Looking to ace your application for an apprenticeship but staring at a blank page and wondering where to start? No worries! We’ve got a few