Research from Northern Ireland’s largest insurance comparison website shows jobs in the trade industry have increased throughout the pandemic by 63%, with the top three revealed as Joiner / Carpenter, Builder and Cleaner.
The data from CompareNI.com compiled the top ten list of trade occupations for 2020 and compared them to the 12 months previous. Number one on that list was Carpenter / Joiner with a 66.6% increase followed by Builder / Bricklayer at 57.7% increase and finally a staggering 70.8% increase for those working in cleaning. Interestingly these top three positions didn’t change from 2019 to 2020.
Handyman moved up from 8th to 5th position and was the biggest overall change with a 123% increase from 2019. Followed by Painter / Decorator with a122.7% increase – the only new entry to the table, in at number 10.
This spike in tradespeople bucks the currently reported trend of a 30% fall* in the construction industry in Northern Ireland, relating mainly to firms who develop retail, hospitality and commercial construction.
The analysis is based on a sample of over 7,000 tradesperson insurance policies compiled from across the UK during 2019 and 2020.
Responding to the data, CompareNI.com Founder Greg Wilson comments: “With the nation in renovation mode throughout lockdown, it is not so surprising that demand for trade skills is spiking but it is great news for tradespeople and could even provide opportunities for those who have been made redundant recently.
“The rise in demand for cleaning staff is considerable at 70% year-on-year, and this trend may well persist even after the vaccine is rolled out as companies embrace deep cleans and more thorough hygiene practices for the eventual return to the workplace.
“I would recommend, especially if this current line of work is new to you, that you check you have a comprehensive tradesperson insurance policy or it you’ve just expanded your business and recruited several employees. Our comparison website can help you find a competitive policy that is tailored to your individual business needs.”
CompareNI.com help almost a million users every year and are recommended by 97% of reviewers, covering over 60 products including niche items such as public liability insurance, income protection insurance and event insurance.
| Rank | Top Trade Jobs 2019 | Jobs |
| 1 | Carpentry / Joinery | 429 |
| 2 | Building/Bricklayer | 291 |
| 3 | Cleaning | 264 |
| 4 | Electrician | 164 |
| 5 | Plumber | 121 |
| 6 | Gardener / Garden Designer | 116 |
| 7 | Scaffolder | 115 |
| 8 | Handyman | 104 |
| 9 | Mechanic / Car Mechanic | 59 |
| 10 | Property Maintenance | 51 |
| Rank | Top Trade Jobs 2020 | Jobs | % Change 2019 / 2020 |
| 1 | Carpentry / Joinery | 715 | +66.6% |
| 2 | Building/Bricklaying | 459 | +57.7% |
| 3 | Cleaning | 451 | +70.8% |
| 4 | Electrician | 270 | +64.6% |
| 5 | Handyman (moved up) | 232 | (biggest change) 123% |
| 6 | Gardener / Garden Designer | 228 | 96.5% |
| 7 | Plumber (moved down) | 193 | 59.5% |
| 8 | Scaffolder (moved down) | 182 | 58% |
| 9 | Mechanic / Car Mechanic | 118 | 100% |
| 10 | Painter / Decorator (new entry) | 98 | 122.7% |
About CompareNI.com
- CompareNI.com’s parent company, Seopa, was founded by the Northern Irish entrepreneur, Greg Wilson, in 2003.
- From its headquarters in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Greg Wilson, CEO, and Ian Wilson, Managing Director, have grown the company to more than 50 team members spread across two European offices.
- CompareNI.com has grown to become Northern Ireland’s number one price comparison platform, while the company’s Quotezone.co.uk platform is one of the leading insurance comparison sites in the UK.
- The company has been recognised with six Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards, and has been awarded a Deloitte Best Managed Company Award each year for the past three years – topped by the Gold Standard Deloitte Award for Best Managed Company this year (2020) – making it four consecutive wins.
