WELCOME TO THE ZONE how many jobs will be lost

@DogMan Are the reasons for the shortages known and being addressed?

@ArishMell Here are two reasons

Why Fewer People Are Entering Trade Work
Fewer young people are choosing skilled trades despite strong demand and high pay because of a mix of cultural, educational, and perception-based factors.

1. Cultural pressure toward college
For decades, the dominant message—especially from parents and older generations—has been that a four-year college degree is the only path to success. This has led many to view trade careers as “less prestigious” or as a fallback if they can’t succeed in academia

. Even as college costs rise and job prospects soften, the “college = success” narrative persists, discouraging many from considering trades.

2. Stigma and outdated perceptions
Trade work is often stereotyped as dirty, physically demanding, or “old-fashioned,” which can deter younger generations. Many young people see tech or white-collar careers as more innovative and modern, even though trades are increasingly integrating advanced technology and sustainability practices

@DogMan Oh I do work on cars, or did. I have carried out a lot of repairs and servicing on my own cars over many years. Not now though, beyond replacing windscreen wipers and lamp bulbs.

I did mean repairs by professionals - in the sense that the garage does not need many of the skills needed in the past due to far less dismantling of complicated units for internal repair. The hardest part would be physical access, but garages have sophisticated diagnostic equipment, all the right tools, car-lifts, etc. - and in proper working conditions.

Further, they also have ready access to the proper, trade-only instruction manuals for the specific model by year. The garages and the spares retailers now even have to search at registration-number or VIN level just for the simplest replacements.

The "throttle block" on my car had failed, said the diagnostic instrument plugged into an obscure connector I could not have known exists. The garage unbolted the old, bolted in the new selected via the registration-number to identify the actual vehicle... They may have had to tune it to the engine, by electronic gadget and perhaps screwdriver.


As an even more basic example, try changing what my car's Owner's Handbook calls the "cabin air filter" without revealing the location. "Easy", I thought, "Find the box, remove lid, replace element, replace lid".

Only, no repair manual is available, and I have never found that filter. I looked on-line, never reliable for accurate information. Several home-made videos for the right make and model, showed the manufacturer often changed the filter's location - none matching my specific car.

Even changing the alternator belt, simple on most of my previous cars, would be a challenge best left to a professional garage!


Bodywork repairs would still need high specialist skill, of course.

@ArishMell Do they even have alternator belts on modern cars? 🤷‍♂

@FreddieUK I'm not sure, to be honest! Mine, dating from 2008 I think, does. Those with i.c. engines must have alternators, but I don't know if driven by belts or directly. There is a sizeable selection on display in my local motor-factor's, with a flip-chart to help you select the right one.