Heat pump engineers held back on installations by staff shortages
www.nesta.org.uk/press-release/heat-pump-engineers-held-back-on-installations-by-staff-shortages/
www.nesta.org.uk/press-release/heat-pump-engineers-held-back-on-installations-by-staff-shortages/
Heat pump engineers and businesses say that a lack of available staff is the top barrier to installing more heat pumps where there is demand for installations, one of the most comprehensive surveys of UK heat pump installers finds.
Nesta, the innovation charity, analysed 345 responses to a survey of heat pump installers co-devised with industry and run in partnership with heat pump training consultant Nathan Gambling and Emma Bohan of heat pump firm IMS Heat Pumps, between October and November 2023.
It found that a third of respondents (30%) reported that finding suitable additional staff was the biggest barrier to installing more heat pumps, after a lack of customer demand (41%).
Heat pump engineers who cited a lack of customer demand as an issue believe customers aren’t choosing to progress with installations either because of the general cost of heat pump installations, or because they’ve received a cheaper quote from other companies. This suggests that even with government-funded grants, additional finance schemes for heat pump installations are needed.
Recruitment is an even bigger issue for larger heat pump businesses. For heat pump businesses with 6 or more staff, 41% said that finding additional staff is the biggest barrier.
This barrier in recruitment is a particular challenge as many heat pump companies reported that they were looking to expand, with a large majority of respondents (81%) from firms with 6 or more staff reporting that they were likely or very likely to employ new staff in the next 12 months.
While all heat pump business owners noted they needed to boost their businesses’ skills in core areas like heat loss surveying (16%), administration (14%), heating system design (13%), plumbing (11%) and F-Gas training (11%), owners of heat pump companies with 6 or more staff also noted that they needed candidates with broader skills to grow their business. Sales and marketing was the top skill desired overall and particularly by businesses with more staff, rising from 18% overall to 28% for companies with 6 or more staff.
Smaller heat pump businesses – sole traders and company owners with 1-5 employees – had a much lower confidence in the level of training that graduates from apprenticeship schemes have compared to larger heat pump company owners. Two thirds of sole traders (60%) and company owners with 1-5 employees (66%) had no or very little confidence in the training of recent graduates from apprenticeships. In particular, they thought that the training apprentices receive on practical heat pump installation and general plumbing skills needed improving.
Nesta’s previous research has suggested that around 37,000 installers might be needed by 2030 to deliver on the UK’s net zero commitments.
Oliver Zanetti, mission manager of sustainable future at Nesta, said:
“Heat pump installers in Britain are getting on with the job of helping people decarbonise their homes. While political uncertainty has caused some disruption in the heat pump market, the UK has a committed and expert core heat pump installer workforce.
“Any policymaker that wants the UK to meet its net zero targets should be listening to what installers are actually saying and helping to grow the industry. We conducted the first survey of heat pump installers run in close collaboration with industry to understand the blockers and opportunities it faces. It’s clear that staff recruitment continues to be an issue for an industry that needs to expand to meet future demand. To recruit the next generation of installers, colleges and industry must work together to improve apprenticeship courses.”
Nathan Gambling, heat pump training consultant and host of BetaTalk podcast, said:
“The report highlights the importance of Umbrella Schemes and BetaTeach will continue to observe how the different types of Umbrella Schemes can engender competence and support learning. The survey also drew attention to the fact that practical experience with heat pumps is important for employers wishing to take on new staff.
“The awarding bodies who issue heat pump qualifications are benefiting from Government financial support towards training. Yet the training, with no on-site practical experience or assessment, does not offer employers what they need. Arguably, financial and business support should exist for competent employers wishing to mentor and train the gas engineers looking to transition into heat pumps.”
Emma Bohan, managing director of IMS Heat Pumps, said:
“The survey results show an existing, dedicated workforce able to install more heat pumps now, if the awareness amongst the general public was raised. To be able to grow the existing installer base, the call is loud and clear – support better access to training channels that can deliver apprentices and upskilled engineers with quality hands-on experience.
“These two key learnings, combined with a request for staff and digital tools to assist with administration and a reduction in the overall burden of paperwork for installers and we will see a heating industry that is fully equipped to help people move from fossil fuel heating to heat pumps.”
Notes to editors
About Nesta
We are Nesta, the UK's innovation agency for social good. We design, test and scale solutions to society's biggest problems. Our three missions are to give every child a fair start, help people live healthy lives, and create a sustainable future where the economy works for both people and the planet.
For over 20 years, we have worked to support, encourage and inspire innovation. We work in three roles: as an innovation partner working with frontline organisations to design and test new solutions, as a venture builder supporting new and early stage businesses, and as a system shaper creating the conditions for innovation.
Harnessing the rigour of science and the creativity of design, we work relentlessly to change millions of lives for the better. Find out more at nesta.org.uk
About BetaTalk
Nathan Gambling is the owner and creator of BetaTeach and the podcast BetaTalk. He grew up around family members involved in the development of combustion technology and the installation of vapour compression heat pump systems around Europe.
As well as holding industry qualifications, assessor qualifications and a PGCE, Nathan has a degree in behavioural studies. BetaTeach exists to activate people as learning resources for one another and to nudge people towards self directed learning.
Nathan uses different forms of media and communication to promote learning and the good practice needed to accelerate mainstream adoption of energy transition technologies. He will soon be embarking on a new media adventure to help disseminate quality information.
About IMS Heat Pumps
Emma Bohan is the Managing Director of IMS Heat Pumps. Established in 1997, IMS are one of the UK’s leading installers of Ground Source Heat Pumps and Air Source Heat Pumps, operating from offices in Sheffield, England and Perth, Scotland. With in-house teams providing excellent designs, installed by highly skilled and knowledgeable engineers, they ensure that the systems they install provide you with all the heating and hot water that you need.
Emma has been leading IMS since 2019, working with people who have been involved in the heat pump business since she first met a heat pump in 2002. IMS are MCS Accredited, Heat Geek Certified and Which? Trusted Trader Approved. Emma sits on the CIBSE Heat Pump Working Group, the MCS Installer Forum and Heat Pump Working Group, and is Vice-Chair of the Ground Source Heat Pump Association.
Find out more at www.imsheatpumps.co.uk or send an email to [email protected]
