Snap up one of the thousands of vacancies for butchering, bricklaying and welding

BRICKLAYERS, butchers and welders are so sought after, ministers are considering a call to open our borders to cheap migrant labour.

But the demand from the Migration Advisory Committee has been criticised by some job experts, who say there are 2.7million jobless Brits ready to be trained up.

To fill the skills gap and reverse Covid job losses, the Government has promised free college courses equivalent to A levels.

Here is how you can snap up these vital jobs now . . . 

BUTCHERING

Chop, chop. The average age of butchers is 56 so demand for young trainees is high and there are more than 400 vacancies nationwide.

Salaries vary from £16,000 to more than £30,000 but the average is £27,000. See tastycareers.org.uk/ job-descriptions/butchery-butcher.

BRICKLAYING

With almost 1,000 vacancies around the country, and an average salary of £30,000, becoming a brickie could build you a very secure future.

But 99 per cent of those in the job are men so trade bodies are keen to attract more women.

Lay the foundations with an apprenticeship or Level 2 Diploma in bricklaying. You will usually spend your first three months hod-carrying, before moving to more skilled jobs. See tradeskillsguru.co.uk/ bricklaying-qualifications.

WELDING

Spark up a whole new career for yourself. A current construction boom, after the hold-ups of lock-down, means welders are in high demand, with more than 1,700 advertised vacancies.

You will need to have completed an apprenticeship or trade quali-fication, such as a Level 2 Award in Welding Skills, Level 2 Certificate in Fabrication and Welding Practice and Level 3 Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering Technology.

The average pay is £26,000 a year. See nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/ job-profiles/welder

Jon boy cuts it

TRAINEE butcher Jonny Murray reckons his job promises satisfaction and security for life.

Jonny, 25, works for Bevan’s Butchers in Kingston upon Thames, South West London, which was recently voted the UK’s best butcher’s shop.

He says: “I studied engineering at university and started working as a butcher for a summer job, but I enjoyed it so much I stayed on and have been training for two years.

“Butchery is an art, not simply chopping meat. You have to learn specific cuts, food provenance, cookery and customer service.

“Being a butcher means you are part of the local community. We’re key workers, securing the food supply, and help our customers eat better and spend less.

Jonny, of Tolworth, Surrey, adds: “It’s a job with good prospects, that you can do for the next 40 years. People will always need food and customers are wanting higher-quality meat. If you love cooking and community, it could be the job for you.”

Earn and learn

WANT to earn as you learn? Morrisons is taking on 75 trainees for its degree apprenticeship course.

Successful applicants will study for a relevant degree subject alongside getting on-the-job experience.

Roles are being offered nationwide in sectors including retail, logistics and manufacturing, with new starters joining the firm in September next year.

A spokesman said: “Our degree apprenticeship schemes offer school-leavers the chance to earn while they learn. Juggling work and a degree course won’t be easy, but if you’re ambitious and hardworking, it will be an experience you’ll never forget.”

You’ll need a minimum of 104 UCAS points and a Grade 4 or above in both maths and English GCSE. Apply here.

ARE you back to working at home or still struggling into the office?

With official Covid safety advice changing day by day, Cal Lee, from flexible office firm Workthere shares his tips on maintaining productivity wherever you are based.

1. List it. Whether you are in the workplace or at home, note down the tasks you need to complete, in order of priority.
2. Ensure easy access to shared company files. You need to be able to seamlessly get to these, whether at home or at work. A Google Drive or VPN server is usually the best way to do this.
3. Give yourself plenty of space to work. At home, ensure you have a dedicated desk area with enough room for your computer and papers. Throw in good lighting and a supportive chair, too. In the office, always keep two-metre distancing in mind.
4. Listen to music. This is a huge part of many people’s working day, and two-thirds of staff reckon it boosts their productivity.
5. Stay in touch. Utilise tech to keep in contact with colleagues when some of you are in the office and some at home. Skype for Business, Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Hangouts are all great tools for communicating.

Social newbies

IF you can’t get enough of social media, why not make a career out of it?

Marketing recruiters The Industry Club has reserved 50 roles in social media and project management for school-leavers from diverse backgrounds.

Getty Images - Getty

These 13-month Marketing Debut apprenticeships will pay £16,000 to £21,000 and recruits are assigned support groups for mentoring. Jobs will be in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol and Birmingham.

A spokeswoman said: “We will be placing people into a range of creative companies, including advertising and digital marketing agencies as well as recognised brands’ marketing departments.”

Apply by Monday next week, by emailing Katieh@ theindustryclub.co.uk.

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