Old-fashioned image of tradesmen could ‘soon be a thing of the past’

The old-fashioned image of tradesmen could soon be a thing of the past, according to eight in ten tradespeople…

A resounding 80 percent of the white van driving tradespeople surveyed, feel the stereotype is offensive, while half (48 percent) have challenged someone who has made a comment about builders or van drivers. And, according to the research from Isuzu UK, over half (56 percent) of tradies say they enjoy mindful activities, such as yoga, while a whopping 41 percent admit they prefer cricket to football.

43 percent care about the planet enough to recycle, while  62 percent say tradespeople are more likely to drive an EV vehicle now than a ‘classic white van’. 36 percent describe themselves as an avid reader – and forget about “clean me” written on their vehicles – as three quarters (76 percent) pride themselves on always keeping their van clean and tidy.

More than one in five (22 percent) have a nightly skincare routine and 19 percent drink herbal tea instead of the stereotypical milk and two sugars. Three quarters (74 percent) of modern tradespeople would rather have something healthy like a salad or wrap than a pie or pasty, while 10 percent even meditate.

Wolf whistling out of the window (43 percent), saucy images stuck to the inside of the van (41 percent), empty junk food pockets cluttering up the footwell (39 percent) and cigarette butts dotted around the vehicle (35 percent) are all considered the most outdated stereotypes, along with fluffy dice hanging from the rearview mirror (34 percent) and empty energy drink cans (28 percent) on the floor.

“It’s clear from the research that there is a new generation of tradespeople in the UK and they are not afraid to challenge people when they question it,” says George Wallis, Head of Marketing at Isuzu UK who commissioned the research.

“It’s also fascinating to see that vans are becoming a beacon of change for the industry with many keeping them spotless and turning their backs on the traditional fuel powered vehicles in favour of electric so that they align with their environmental beliefs. Modern tradesmen can get the job done whilst making a positive difference for the environment.”

And it seems that first impressions do matter, as 72 percent Brits think that vans and vehicles are vital for giving a good first impression, with a third (32 percent) admitting they have judged a tradesman who has turned up for an appointment in a dirty van, so much so that 73 percent were LESS inclined to give them the job.

Six in ten Brits (60 percent) admit they have made a stereotypical joke or comment about tradespeople, even though more than half (55 percent) have worked with tradesmen that have changed their opinion about tradies.

79 percent of the 1000 polled agree that stereotypes are old fashioned and outdated, with a WHOPPING 93 percent agreeing that amassing a list of good tradesmen is vital in life.

Modern British Tradespeople

1.  Likes to keep fit – 44%
2. Recycles – 43%
3. Loves reading – 36%
4. Cares about the environment – 36%
5. Sticks to the speed limit – 33%
6. Listens to podcasts – 29%
7. Has a degree – 29%
8. Has a skincare routine – 22%
9. Listens to Radio 2 – 20%
10. Has a beard trimmer – 20%
11. Drinks herbal tea – 19%
12. Likes designer clothes – 18%
13. Listens to audiobooks – 16%
14. Does yoga – 14%
15. Practices mindfulness – 13%
16. Loves interior design – 12%
17. Drives an electric vehicle – 11%
18. Meditates – 10%

Top Misconceptions around tradespeople

1. ‘Clean me’ written on the exterior – 52%
2. Wolf whistling out of the window – 43%
3. Saucy images stuck to the interior – 41%
4. Empty junk food packets hanging around – 39%
5. Cigarette butts dotted around – 35%
6. Fluffy dice hanging from the rear-view mirror – 34%
7. Empty energy drink cans in the foot well – 28%
8. Empty crisp and chocolate wrappers on the floor – 28%
9. Cigarette lighters all around – 26%
10. Bobble heads on the dash – 22%