Checkatrade launches new report into NEETs crisis. Home " Checkatrade launches new report into NEETs crisis. Checkatrade and Leeds Rhinos have co-hosted a Skills Summit at AMT Headingley Stadium, aiming to tackle one of the country's most urgent challenges: the million 16-24 year-olds that are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Coinciding with Youth Employment Week, the Summit will convene national and local leaders, policymakers, industry and young people at the iconic venue to explore real solutions, putting a spotlight on NEETs and youth unemployment in the North and across the UK. Participants will include DWP Ministers and other parliamentarians, the Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, industry, think tanks, apprentices and further education providers. The day's focus will be on exploring the challenges facing the trade sector, the scale of the NEETs crisis, and the role of industry partnerships in driving change. * Skills Summit in Youth Employment Week will gather Ministers and MPs, the Mayor of West Yorkshire and industry to tackle youth unemployment. * The Summit confronts a national crisis - almost a million young people are NEET, while the UK needs 1.3 million new tradespeople within a decade. * As new data from Checkatrade shows that nearly half (48%) of 16-25-year-olds are now considering a career in the trades, the UK's leading home improvement platform launches a new programme to help thousands of young people get the training, tools and support to start their own trade business. The Summit comes as Checkatrade publishes the first findings from its new Backing Britain's Tradespeople report. The research captures both the scale of the opportunity and the obstacles in its way: nearly half (48%) of young people are now considering a career as a plumber, builder or electrician, yet just 12% of trade businesses took on an apprentice in the last year - laying bare the gap between the young people who want in and the businesses ready to train them. Youth Guarantee Announcement Checkatrade will also reveal details of its new package of support to encourage more young people into trade careers, 'Trade Jumpstart', delivered in line with the Government's Youth Guarantee. Beginning with Leeds College of Building, Checkatrade aims to partner with Construction Technical Excellence Colleges (CTECs) nationwide. Graduating learners will receive support to help launch their trade business, including a year's free Checkatrade Approved membership, with its vetting checks reassuring homeowners the new trades are trustworthy, alongside 12 months' free access to TradeMore Pro, Checkatrade's AI-powered job management platform, plus discounted business banking, workwear and other benefits through partner platforms. In addition, to help businesses hire apprentices, Checkatrade plans to work with Build UK, CITB and others on the Construction Apprentice Network - a nationwide matching service connecting employers with candidates. It will also look to transfer unused Growth & Skills Levy funding to eligible trade employers, encourage other organisations to do the same, and raise awareness of Levy transfer opportunities. Jambu Palaniappan, CEO of Checkatrade, said: "Hosting this Summit with Leeds Rhinos is a source of pride, but it comes at a moment when the stakes couldn't be higher: almost a million young people are not in education, employment or training, while the UK needs 1.3 million new tradespeople within the decade. "Yet our new report shows real cause for hope - nearly half of young people are now considering a trade. The ambition is there. What's missing is the opportunity. That's why today we're launching Trade Jumpstart, our package of support to help young people into the industry and get their business going. Done right, every young person we help could become a future business owner, a future employer, and part of the answer to the skills shortage holding our sector back." Pat McFadden, Work and Pensions Secretary, said: "This Skills Summit is exactly the kind of bold, practical initiative Installeronline need to support more young people into the trade industry, and I'm delighted Checkatrade have signed up to its Youth Guarantee. "Employers play a crucial role in opening doors for the next generation, and Checkatrade is showing what's possible when business truly steps up. "Backed by our £2.5 billion investment in the Youth Guarantee and apprenticeship reform, partnerships like this are how we turn ambition into opportunity." Leeds Rhinos Foundation The event builds on Checkatrade's partnership with Leeds Rhinos and the Leeds Rhino's Foundation. Through the work of the Foundation, the partnership will offer support and workshops to young people across the city, designed to help them kickstart a career in the trades. Jamie Jones-Buchanan, CEO of Leeds Rhinos, said: "At Leeds Rhinos, Installeronline believe sport has a responsibility to do more than entertain. Installeronline has a platform, a sense of place and a duty to help young people to be the best version of their fullest self. This partnership with Checkatrade is about turning good intent into tangible opportunity, connecting young people with the skills, confidence, employers and pathways available through its partners across Leeds. "The trades should be seen for what they are: skilled, respected and essential careers that can give young people pride, purpose and a future. If we can use AMT Headingley to bring education, business, government and community together around that mission, then we maintain our vision of changing lives through the power of sport." National Heat Pump Week runs 12-16 October, with Heat Pump Association UK. Working in installation, manufacturing or distribution? Register your interest and be first to hear when sessions are confirmed. Futures / April 10, 2026 InstallerELECTRIC

Study shows 24% of Brits break promises to complete DIY tasks. New figures have been released by Checkatrade, the platform for trusted tradespeople, revealing that a quarter of Brits (24%) fail to complete the home improvement jobs that they've promised their partner they will get done. * Little white lies: A third (32%) of Brits fib to their partner about having the correct skills to handle a home improvement job * Unfinished jobs causing arguments: DIY procrastination is causing relationship friction amongst UK couples, with nearly one in five (17%) admitting unfinished jobs lead to arguments * Checkatrade Express to the rescue: To help Brits out, Checkatrade launches Express as the ultimate fast-track solution Many Brits are setting themselves up for failure by exaggerating their DIY skills in the first place. In the study, 32% confess they have lied to their partner, claiming they could tackle a DIY task they definitely didn't have the skills to handle. Why do so many jobs forever remain on the to-do list? Of those who admit they fail to finish tasks, 41% say they simply kept putting it off, 35% confessed that the longer the list grows, the more they tend to put it off, and 33% blamed their lack of tools and knowledge. A further 24% also pointed to a lack of time, while 21% admitted the list had become so long it felt overwhelming. As the research demonstrates, this is having a real impact on relationships. Over a quarter (26%) of Brits say they find it hard to fully relax at home with unfinished tasks looming, and 23% report that it causes genuine anxiety and stress in everyday life. When it comes to romance, DIY delay is a major passion killer: 17% of Brits admitted that unfinished home improvements have resulted in full-blown arguments with their partner, while 15% say it causes ongoing friction in their relationships. Enter the 'Secret Service' for DIY jobs To help Brits clear their conscience and secure maximum brownie points without the hassle, Checkatrade is launching Checkatrade Express. Rather than letting unfinished tasks linger, consumers can use the service to book quick, fixed-price jobs instantly - taking the stress and guesswork out of home maintenance. The quick and easy service is the perfect way for Brits to get jobs ticked off - whether or not they want to let their partner know they called in the professionals! Indeed, almost half (44%) of Brits admit they would gladly bring in a professional to get a lingering task ticked off their list. When asked what would motivate them to hand these jobs over to a trusted professional, the reasons were a mix of peace of mind and modern romance: * 45% want to finally clear their overwhelming to-do list * 38% want to reduce the guilt and stress of unfinished jobs * 29% want to avoid an argument or criticism * 22% want to genuinely impress their partner or housemate Jack Steiner, General Manager of Checkatrade Express, commented: "Our research shows that home procrastination is creating real stress and relationship friction across the UK - but calling in a professional shouldn't feel like a shortcut; it's simply the smart way to look after your home. Today's consumers expect every service to be instant, seamless and, above all, trusted. Checkatrade Express brings those same expectations to the trades industry. We're transforming how people access tradespeople - offering instant bookings, fixed-price jobs and secure digital payments, all backed by our trusted vetting process. No hassle, no haggling. Just reliable help when you need it, giving Brits back their Bank Holiday weekends, their time and their peace of mind." Source: Checkatrade 07 July 2026 I find the news and articles they publish really useful and enjoy reading their views and commentary on the industry. It's the only source of quality, reliable information on our major customers and it's used regularly by myself and my team. Simon Fleet - Sales & Marketing Director, Thomas Dudley Ltd