Mid-life career switch to trades driven by low-carbon heating demand and job security

A growing number of workers in their 40s are retraining as plumbers and gas engineers, drawn by job security and the shift to low-carbon heating. Training provider Logic4training reports an 80% increase in learners aged 40-49, with many citing the transition to energy-efficient technologies as a key motivator. The trend reflects a broader need for skilled labor in the construction sector, which requires about 50,000 new workers annually through 2029. Career changers like former IT worker Rughvir Bawa see the trades as a future-proof path, especially as low-carbon heating systems become more common. The data shows that 94% of new entrants are over 25, suggesting mid-career shifts are becoming a practical response to both labor shortages and the decarbonization of buildings. This shift could help meet the demand for installers of heat pumps and other green technologies.