Screwfix achieve apprentice milestone in bid to tackle skills shortage

Screwfix is funding apprenticeships across trades, including plumbing, electrical work, landscaping, painting, and decorating

The trades tool retailer has funded over 50 trade apprentices through its partnership with the 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 apprenticeships across a wide range of skilled trades, from plumbing and electrical work to landscaping, 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 much-needed financial support by committing a percentage of its apprenticeship levy to fund apprentices' training.

In its 2025 Voice of the Trade report, Screwfix found that 25% of respondents were considering retirement in the next five years and 24% were under 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, which manage the process to support both apprentices and employers.

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."