Checkatrade have launched a ‘Tiny Tradespeople’ initiative to encourage children to explore careers in the industry.
The programme allows Checkatrade members to reward young helpers with a £10 book voucher and their own mocked up ‘pay packet’ for tasks like painting or showing enthusiasm.
The programme will run for two weeks in the run up to Christmas, from 9 December until 23 December.
The initiative was inspired by a painter, James Noll of Expressions, who left a ‘pay packet’ for Bobi Williams, a customer’s three-year-old son who helped him on the job.
Bobi’s mother, Michelle Williams, who had hired James, shared the touching moment on X alongside the caption: “Bobi was super helpful while we had the painters in this week! He even earned himself a mini ‘pay packet’ from the painter for all his hard work—how thoughtful! Bobi is so chuffed”.
James said: “Seeing kids like Bobi getting so curious and being eager to get involved is incredibly rewarding. It’s not just about the work we do, but about inspiring the next generation to appreciate the creativity and skill in trades. Bobi’s enthusiasm reminded me why I love what I do—it’s about building more than just homes, but also future passions.”
Jambu Palaniappan, CEO at Checkatrade, added: “We’ve taken inspiration from James’s thoughtful gesture to launch our ‘Tiny Tradespeople’ initiative ahead of Christmas. Encouraging curiosity about trade professions from an early age is crucial, especially as the UK faces a critical shortage of skilled tradespeople.
“The Trade Skills Index 2024 revealed a need for 1.3 million skilled workers and 350,000 apprentices over the next decade to meet government targets and growing industry demands. The ‘Tiny Tradespeople’ initiative aims to inspire young people to explore trade careers while highlighting the value and craftsmanship of the sector.”