A new report published today – from a coalition of unions, heating engineers, manufacturers and energy companies – has called for a heat pump skills revolution.
The report highlights the need for five times as many heat pump businesses in the next four years to get on track to net zero. The industry is also pressing for the recruitment of far more women heat pump engineers. It calls on the Government and industry to develop high standards for installation, skills, and working conditions, and to provide more support for UK heat pump manufacturing.
There are only 1,294 businesses installing heat pumps in the UK and MCS estimates that this will need to increase to at least 7,000 if the Government is to have any chance of reaching its target of installing 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028 – at the moment, the industry only has a capacity to install a maximum of 90,000 heat pumps a year.
The coalition, which includes the TUC, Electrify Heat, Eon, Energy Savings Trust and the Heat Pump Association, is also calling for a just transition for energy workers, with workers in adjacent sectors supported to broaden their skill sets to install and maintain heat pumps.
Michael Lewis, Chief Executive E.ON UK, said: “Decisive action over the next decade is absolutely critical if the UK is going to meet its Net Zero by 2050 target. Front and centre of that is our challenge to decarbonise the way we heat 29 million homes across the country. We’re already supporting our customers in their journeys and developing the skills to install thousands of heat pumps nationwide but it’s crucial that the heat pump revolution across the country accelerates now.”
“That revolution is only possible if we create good quality jobs and develop a skills supply chain that is capable of delivering at scale and at pace. There are huge challenges here but also huge opportunities. Industry, government and unions can work together to create a highly skilled, more inclusive workforce that will modernise Britain’s heating infrastructure and make a significant contribution to achieving our Net Zero target.”
Juliet Phillips, Campaign Lead at the Electrify Heat coalition which helped author the report, said: “The shift towards net zero could be a once-in-lifetime chance to rethink how a green economy can support high-quality jobs. We can use the heat pump revolution to unlock opportunities for a fairer, more inclusive workforce and employment patterns. This translates into a better experience for workers, households and the wider economy.”
Laura Bishop, Chair of the Ground Source Heat Pump Association, said: “The GSHPA warmly welcomes this timely and important report by Electrify Heat and the TUC. High quality and accessible training and retraining, good apprenticeships, and high regulatory standards are all vital in ensuring a just and fair transition for those currently working in the fossil fuel heating sector. It’s also vital that Government provides the necessary and consistent financial support and regulatory framework to drive uptake of low carbon heat and to ensure year-on-year significant jobs growth in the heat pump sector.”
To download the report visit: electrifyheat.uk/The-role-of-heat-pumps
