More UK households and businesses are installing heat pumps than ever before – more than 3,000 per month on average, fuelling a heat pump skills gap.
There were 17,920 heat pump installations in the first six months of 2023, according to MCS data, with nearly a quarter of a million households expected to adopt renewable energy by the end of the year.
However, there is a shortage of qualified installers – it is estimated there are only 3,000 trained heat pump engineers in the UK but at least 27,000 will be needed in the next six years, according to social good charity Nesta.
Plus, heating engineers who complete our three-day course also qualify for funding support of £500, under the Heat Training Grant initiative.
The qualification is acceptable to all MCS providers and will train you to become a competent and confident air source heat pump Installer, allowing you to grow your business and support the decarbonisation of heating systems.
The rise in demand for heat pumps is partly being fuelled by Government grants for installations – in England and Wales, you can claim £5,000 towards an air source heat pump under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
SCHOOL students face tough decisions about what to do next after receiving their exam results – but green skills company Quantum is here to help.
With the UK facing a major challenge to fill the skills gaps needed to meet climate targets, there are an increasing number of career opportunities in the green skills and renewables sector – and Essex-based Quantum is one of the country’s leading providers of energy-saving and decarbonisation training.
Our new City & Guilds Assured Level 2 training course, Sustainable Energy Technologies, the first of its kind, is designed to give young people and career changers an introduction to green technologies.
The training covers basics such as fossil fuels and their impact on the environment, understanding energy supply and sources, legislation, building guidance and regulations, and knowledge about greener energy solutions such as air source heat pumps.
The launch of the new course is in partnership with leading eco-heating technology brand Daikin UK. It is hoped a pilot scheme will begin at London’s South Bank College in September, with further roll out at NCC London soon. Students at South Bank enjoyed a preview of our new course in July, including hands-on training using our bespoke renewable training facilities installed at the college.
Maria Gonella, Quantum Group Managing Partner, said: “The decarbonisation and renewable energies sector is growing rapidly. You can advance your employability and be part of a rapidly growing workforce that focuses on sustainable growth and the transition to a net zero world.
“At Quantum, we specialise in providing opportunities to engage in learning about green skills. Our training courses will equip you with lifelong practical skills in renewable technologies. We strive to bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing immersive and hands-on renewable training experiences through our innovative range of products, courses and services.
“Through our collaborative approach with industry stakeholders, we remain at the forefront of the evolving renewable energy space, enabling us to design optimal low-carbon systems for the built environment and provide training on the latest industry technologies. Together, we are driving the transformation towards a greener future.”
Martin Passingham, Product and Training Manager at Daikin UK, added: “The renewable energy sector is a huge growth area as fossil fuels are being phased out for heating. Skilled workers are desperately needed to help meet the country’s ambitious net zero and heat pump installation targets.
“This first-of-its-kind course we’re launching in partnership with Quantum will tackle the national skills gap and create a clear path for college students into an industry with so much opportunity.
“Over its 15-year lifespan, switching from a fossil fuel boiler to an air source heat pump can save homeowners more than £3,000 when compared to a gas boiler, more than £6,000 compared with oil and more than £9,000 compared to LPG – including the initial purchase and installation, maintenance and running costs.
“Students on this course will be able to learn more about the huge potential of renewable forms of heating like heat pumps to reduce energy usage and bills in the home and they’ll be ideally qualified to play a key role in the future of renewable heating technology.”
If the country is going to meet its ambitious net zero targets, we need to train thousands of people each year to install and maintain low carbon heating such as air source heat pumps.
Quantum also offers a wide range of courses for experienced heating and plumbing engineers and apprentices. Our LCL Awards and Daikin-accredited courses cover a number of green technologies, from heat pump installation and maintenance to hot water systems and safety.
Our training courses are also among the very few designed to offer practical, hands-on lessons that complement the theoretical content. This takes place using our custom, state-of-the-art demo booths.
More than 200,000 people will need training for green energy roles by 2050, according to PwC research, while leading independent think-tank the Green Alliance has estimated about 300,000 more skilled workers will be required, comprising both new tradespeople and upskilling existing workers.
There are only between 3,000 and 4,000 heat pump engineers in the UK, according to innovation charity Nesta, but another 5,000 to 7,000 will be needed every year until 2035 in order to meet the UK Government’s target of increasing annual installation of heat pumps to 600,000 by 2028.
Meanwhile, a ban on the installation of gas boilers in new homes comes into effect in only two years, further increasing the need for skilled decarbonisation technology installers.
More than two-thirds of homeowners – 68 per cent – are unaware that heat pumps are significantly more efficient than gas boilers, research by Daikin has found. Gas boilers operate at 70 to 90 per cent efficiency compared with 300 to 400 per cent for heat pumps. This means heat pumps are both better for the environment and leave households less vulnerable to gas price increases.
As well as offering training to help fill the skills gaps to install and maintain green technology and create a net zero workforce, the Quantum Group also provides bespoke energy-saving and low-carbon system designs and installations for the built environment, such as heat pumps.
Our company’s mission is to leverage our deep industry expertise to consistently deliver the most efficient sustainable energy solutions and training opportunities available.
We strive to bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing immersive and hands-on renewable training experiences through our innovative range of products, courses, and services.
Through our collaborative approach with industry stakeholders, we remain at the forefront of the evolving renewable energy space, enabling us to design optimal low carbon systems for the built environment and provide training on the latest industry products.
A student uses one of Quantum’s Renewable Training Facilities during a preview of our new course at London’s South Bank College on 20 July
Together, we are driving the transformation towards a greener future
The Quantum Group was established in 1997 and is now a leading decarbonisation specialist and renewables training provider. We offer bespoke energy-saving and low carbon system designs and installations for the built environment. In parallel, our renewable training business provides a range of training products and services dedicated to accelerating the transition to a net zero workforce. By equipping both students and engineers with the necessary green skills we aim to contribute to achieving our broader net zero climate ambitions in the future.
Daikin UK is an eco-heating technology brand leading the industry in providing innovative indoor climate management solutions, such as heat pumps, to reduce environmental impact. As part of the global Daikin Group and with almost 100 years of experience, Daikin has built a worldwide reputation for quality and technology, developing heating solutions that create comfortable and sustainable interior environments for everyone.
In 2020, Daikin launched itsEnergy for Change campaign, which aims to educate consumers on the benefits of heat pumps and promote their installation – helping the UK move to a more sustainable future. As part of its Energy for Change campaign, Daikin has created the Sustainable Home Network to provide top quality, free heat pump training to installers across the UK, helping them futureproof their businesses and support the UK’s transition towards green energy.
Additional information on Daikin’s pioneering technology can be found on its website, alongside details on why choosing a heat pump could help reduce UK homes’ carbon emissions.
You are a sole trader or work for a business with 250 employees or fewer, or are unemployed
You or the business you work for are certified by an appropriate competent person scheme for heating and hot water systems, e.g. APHC, BESCA, Blue Flame Certification, Gas Safe Register, Certsure/NICEIC, HETAS, NAPIT, OFTEC or Stroma
Has your employer received £315,000 or more in Government subsidies over the past three years?
Heat pumps could boost the energy efficiency of millions of British homes and buildings if installed correctly.
Decarbonisation efforts such as this are vital to help the UK meet its legally binding climate targets. But to achieve this, thousands more heating engineers need to learn to install and maintain green technologies like heat pumps.
To help, the Government is offering grants of £500 to trainees to cover the cost of learning to install air source heat pumps.
This qualification is acceptable to all MCS providers and will train you to become a competent and confident air source heat pump Installer, allowing you to grow your business and support the decarbonisation of heating systems.
To qualify for the funding, you must hold:
A N/SVQ Level 2/3 in Plumbing or Heating and Ventilating (Domestic or Industrial and Commercial) or Oil-Fired Technical Services or an equivalent earlier certification that provides evidence of competence.
WRAS Water Regulation/Water Byelaws or equivalent (we can offer this course prior to the ASHP Course, if needed).
