- Corby Business Centre, Corby, Northants
The skills shortage isn’t as big as we’re led to believe.
Real Work. Real Skills. Real Futures.
Dormant Trade Skills connects experienced tradespeople with young adults who need practical routes into work — delivering paid training, real maintenance jobs, and measurable outcomes for local authorities.
What We Do
A practical response to the skills gap and youth unemployment
Across the UK, experienced tradespeople hold decades of practical knowledge that is no longer being passed on. At the same time, many young adults aged 18+ are not in education, employment, or training — and are poorly served by classroom-based provision.
Dormant Trade Skills brings these two realities together.
We employ experienced tradespeople as Trade Mentors and support them to teach Trade Associates on real, paid maintenance work. Learning happens on site, under supervision, in real conditions — not in simulated environments.
HOW IT WORKS
Training Delivered Through Real Work
This is not volunteering. It is structured, accountable delivery.
Designed with Local Authorities in Mind
Dormant Trade Skills is built to align with youth employment and NEET funding priorities.
The programme focusses on:
- Engagement through practical work
- Clear supervision and safeguarding
- Measurable outcomes
- Reduced reliance on long-term grant funding
- By embedding training within real economic activity, the programme shortens the gap between learning and employment and supports more stable progression.
Impact & Outcomes
Clear Outcomes That Matter
We track outcomes that matter to funders, partners, and participants, including:
- Attendance and engagement
- Skills demonstrated on site
- Progression into employment or further training
- Confidence and work readiness
Our reporting is designed to integrate with local authority monitoring and evaluation requirements.
For Trade Mentors
Pass on your skills — professionally
Trade Mentors are employed to teach and supervise learners on real maintenance work. This is a professional role with clear boundaries, expectations, and support.
You focus on what you know best: doing the work properly and passing those skills on.
How Everyone Can Help
Book Ethical Property Maintenance
Members of the public can support the programme by choosing Dormant Trade Skills for everyday property maintenance.
Work is carried out by Trade Associates under the direct supervision of employed Trade
Mentors, with quality control and safeguarding in place.
You get competent, reliable work — and your booking directly supports paid training and employment.
Work with Dormant Trade Skills
Whether you are a local authority, a potential partner, an experienced tradesperson, or someone looking to book maintenance work, we’d like to hear from you.