Heat pump survey shows big skills gap in the industry

Only 18% of engineers are currently installing heat pumps, and 44% do not know where to go to get trained, indicating a significant skills gap in the industry. These are just a few of the results from a survey commissioned by Energy Efficiency at City Plumbing, where installers were asked about their knowledge of renewable technologies in the heating market and whether they planned to become certified to install them.

The results show there is significant work to be done to provide installers with all the information they require about the topic, inspire them to seek training, and address their concerns.

Over a quarter (27%) of respondents said it’s easy to find a heat pump course where they live, but many more

(44%) said they don’t know where to get trained. Just 18% of installers currently install heat pumps and only 6% are MCS certified.

When it comes to awareness of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, 32% said they didn’t know about it. Only 45% of installers say they are confident they know enough about heat pumps to explain their benefits to customers.

Adam Foy, MD of Energy Efficiency at City Plumbing, says: “This is a significant issue for everyone if we want to achieve net zero targets and it is one that we should be talking about urgently. As an industry we need to make training more accessible.

Search is on for a Local Hero who can make a real difference

The SGS Engineering Local Hero Awards is back, with nominations now open to discover a generous tradesperson to become the third winner. Last year’s winner James Anderson (pictured) of Depher appeared on Good Morning Britain and made headlines in national newspapers for his work ensuring that vulnerable people received plumbing work free of charge, so that their heating could stay on throughout the cold winter.

We should be there for installers who are interested in upskilling and encouraging others that doing so will be good for their business.

“The underlying interest is there. Our survey also revealed that 49% of installers would consider becoming MCS certified if there was a course available locally. Moreover, when we asked installers if becoming certified would be good for their careers, 82% agreed. It’s not possible to achieve government targets without trained installers, so now is the time to act.”

Turn to page 16 to find out about City Plumbing’s training provision at the Energy Efficiency Centre in Farnborough

Now, the third edition of the Local Hero Awards has been launched by UK retailer and manufacturer SGS Engineering to shine a light on the most generous and thoughtful plumbers, builders, mechanics, electricians, joiners, gardeners, and more, who have put others first with their kindness.

One national winner will be awarded a £1000 cash prize, while up to five regional winners will each take home cash prizes worth £250. Dave Gordon, general manager at SGS Engineering, explains:

“If you know of a tradesperson who has done everything in their power to make the