New research has shed light on a troubling issue in the UK, revealing that many people lack confidence or capability in basic, practical skills essential for everyday life.
A survey conducted by SGS Engineering, a leading UK gas struts manufacturer and tool retailer, in collaboration with OnePoll, polled 2,000 UK residents to explore the nation’s “skills gap”. The findings uncovered widespread struggles with a variety of common tasks, from car maintenance to sewing.
Topping the list of challenging skills, 43% of respondents admitted difficulty with changing a tyre, while 33% struggled with basic car maintenance. Sewing or mending clothes proved problematic for 31%, while 27% lacked confidence in handling first aid or medical emergencies. Additionally, 24% found tasks like fixing taps and changing lightbulbs difficult.
Other challenges included understanding insurance and pensions (21%), negotiating bills (20%), and even confidently communicating in social settings (19%). On the other hand, fewer than one in ten respondents (9%) reported difficulties navigating public transport or maintaining an organised living space.
The study highlighted notable differences across age groups. Younger adults (aged 18–24) were especially challenged by financial management, with 30% admitting difficulty handling insurance and negotiating contracts. Meanwhile, 47% of those aged 45 and above struggled with tyre changes – a skill gap that appeared to increase with age.
The survey also revealed gender differences, with men generally more confident in car maintenance tasks, while women expressed greater confidence in organising their homes and communicating in social settings.
The root causes of this skills gap were also explored. A lack of confidence was the most frequently cited barrier, with 33% of participants expressing fear of making mistakes. Other reasons included insufficient opportunities to learn (25%), inadequate training or education (24%), and not recognising the need for a skill until it became urgent (23%). Surprisingly, 22% of respondents admitted they were simply uninterested in learning these practical skills, preferring to rely on others instead.
For some, the learning process felt overwhelming, with 19% citing this as a barrier. Time constraints (15%) and financial limitations (10%) were also highlighted as challenges.
The consequences of this skills gap extend beyond inconvenience. Over a quarter (26%) of respondents reported relying on friends, family, or paid services to perform basic tasks. This dependence has led to increased financial costs for 20%, while 22% admitted experiencing stress and anxiety due to their inability to manage everyday challenges.
Nearly 19% of respondents reported feeling less independent, while 16% felt embarrassed or self-conscious about their lack of skills. For 12%, the inability to perform basic tasks created a sense of missed opportunities and a feeling of falling behind their peers.
Neil Sansom, CEO of SGS Engineering, emphasised the importance of addressing this growing issue. “At SGS Engineering, we believe that addressing this skills gap requires a renewed focus on practical education and skill-building resources. Understanding basic car and home maintenance, or even managing finances, isn’t just about convenience – it’s about building confidence and fostering independence.”
He added: “Our survey shows a real need for more accessible resources, better education, and perhaps most importantly, the confidence to try and learn these skills without fear. SGS Engineering is committed to providing high-quality tools and guidance to empower individuals of all ages to tackle these challenges head-on. By creating more learning opportunities, we hope to help close the skills gap and reduce the dependence on costly services.”
This research underscores the pressing need to prioritise practical skill development to enhance independence, reduce financial strain, and boost confidence across the UK.
