Skills and market transition

1010.  We need a skilled workforce to decarbonise our homes, as covered in more detail in Pillar 3. The Heat Pump Association estimate that there are currently only 3,000 trained heat pump engineers in the UK, but at least 27,000 will be needed in the next six years, requiring increases of 4,000-6,000 per year.718 This means training more new engineers every year than are currently in the whole industry.

1011.  Training provisions exist but need expanding. There are already recognised Ofqual qualifications in low temperature heating. There is also extensive training capacity for up to 40,000 training places per year from Heat Pump Association members already available to train heat pump installers. To make more progress, the Review has heard the following views:

•  An 'Early Bird' training support scheme for the first 20,000 installers, part-funded by industry, and part by government. This would encourage early adopter installers by compensating them for their training costs, including loss of earnings while undertaking the training.

•  A requirement for a low-temperature heating system qualification for all Gas engineers at the five-yearly ACS renewal, and the requirement for a suitable heat pump Competent Persons Scheme. Industry is ready to support installers with the necessary skills, training, and tools to achieve this.

•  Apprenticeship programmes, to bring through new high-skilled career opportunities for a generation of young heating engineers. This would help to create long-term, sustainable jobs, helping improve youth employment, and encouraging social mobility.

•  Building professionals working in repair, maintenance and improvement are vital 'middle actors' to facilitate zero-carbon buildings.48 They are highly influential to households and can develop agency to decarbonise homes. It is important that they have the skills and knowledge to take advantage of delivering zero-carbon solutions in the course of their work. A diverse range of training pathways (across vocational trade, engineers, designers, project managers) is required.

•  The industry is ready for constructive dialogue to help the government implement its Market-Based Mechanism for Heat Pump deployment. The Heat Pump Association are working on the following areas in preparation for this: safeguards for consumers, quality controls for products and installations, and correct specification of systems and best use of existing products.