Sector guide
Construction and trades
Trades and construction have a strong tradition of learning on the job, which suits people who learn best by doing. Safety, physical demands and site culture are the areas to plan for.
Roles that often work well
Apprentice, labourer, site assistant, painter, trade assistant, stores assistant
Common barriers
- Safety instructions and paperwork are often dense and written
- Physically demanding tasks and changing locations
- A banter-heavy culture that can exclude people
Quick adjustments
- Safety briefings shown on site, repeated and checked
- Visual method statements with photos
- Pairing with an experienced tradesperson
- Clear rules on respectful behaviour on site
Extra steps in your plan
Set expectations for behaviour on site
Make clear that jokes about disability, background or mental health are not acceptable. A respectful site keeps good people.
Get ready · Essential · 15 min
Use apprenticeships and work trials
Apprenticeships and supported work trials let you build skills from scratch, and often come with public funding or support.
Attract candidates · Recommended · About 1 hour
Teach safety by showing, then check understanding
Walk through the site, demonstrate equipment and ask the person to show it back to you. Don't rely on reading and signing forms alone.
Onboard · Essential · About 1 hour
Turn this into your own plan
Choose your type of business and who you are hiring, and get one checklist that tracks your progress, plus a tracker for each new hire's first six months.
This toolkit is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules on recruitment, adjustments and support schemes differ between countries, so check with your local employment service or an adviser.