Over half of tradespeople (53%) in Ireland were introduced to a career in the trades by a parent and a further third (36%) by another family member.

The research, commissioned by builders’ merchants MacBlair in January 2026, which surveyed 200 tradespeople (150 tradespeople in the Republic of Ireland and 50 tradespeople in Northern Ireland), examines the critical role families play in encouraging careers in the construction industry.

When it comes to who is encouraging young people into the trades, again it is a family affair, with 68% saying a family member encouraged them to pursue a trade. 20% say a friend encouraged them but only 11% say a teacher encouraged them, suggesting formal education may still undervalue vocational careers despite their strong employment prospects. 

Job satisfaction in the trades is high with an overwhelming 90% saying they are happy with their career choice and 93% also saying they would recommend pursuing a trade to a family member. When asked to describe what working in a trade in 2026 is like, 55% say it is a highly skilled job, 27% say their skills are highly sought after, and 24% say it is a physically demanding job.

As Northern Ireland struggles with construction skills shortages, the survey reveals that 88% of tradespeople say family-owned trade businesses are important for the industry, with many acting as informal training grounds for the next generation.

Half of the tradespeople in Northern Ireland say they learned their trade through a family business, often combining hands-on experience with mentorship from a parent or relative, while 22% say they entered the industry via a formal apprenticeship.

Demonstrating its commitment to fostering growth in the sector, MacBlair is a sponsor of the Skillbuild NI Regional Qualifiers. For the second year in a row, MacBlair will supply materials and prizes for the competition, which aims to showcase the high level of skills and impressive talent within the trade workforce.

Commenting on the findings, Alan Wright, Managing Director at MacBlair, said: “The new findings show just how influential family connections are in shaping Northern Ireland’s trade sector. For many tradespeople, the route into the industry begins at home, with parents and relatives passing on practical skills, experience and a strong sense of pride in the job.

"The research also points to a wider challenge in how vocational careers are presented to young people. Trades offer highly skilled, secure and rewarding career opportunities, yet they are still too often overlooked within the education system. Greater awareness and earlier engagement will be key to ensuring the future strength of the industry.

"MacBlair is committed to encouraging this pipeline of young talent, whether by supporting local skilled trade competitions like Skillbuild NI, or by raising awareness of the true opportunities a career in construction offers.”