TRAINING
Growth areas for training in 2025
With a new political party at the helm, the UK enters 2025 with a renewed focus on achieving net zero. Griff Thomas from GTEC outlines the key growth areas for this year and the training that will help engineers adapt to meet evolving demand for low carbon technologies.
The UK’s forward- thinking
government is continuing to build on its strategies for decarbon- isation, resulting in vast
opportunities for growth and innovation in 2025. With measures in place to reduce heat pump costs and strengthen supply chains, the focus on sustainable electrifi cation of heating is clearer than ever.
O
n New Year’s Eve, the government published its response to the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) recommendations on the sustainable electrifi cation of
heating. The report sets out a series of measures designed to reduce the cost of heat pumps, boost confi dence and secure supply chains, a welcome announcement to start the New Year. The Labour government’s decisive victory in 2024 has
set a renewed focus on decarbonisation. As the heating industry moves further down the road to electrifi cation, HVAC contractors and building services engineers are perfectly positioned to meet growing demand for innovative low carbon technologies. The latest training courses and qualifi cations are designed to help installers develop their skills and adapt to support key growth areas while securing their services for the future.
Heat pumps: a growing force The government’s announcement that heat pumps and heat
networks will be the backbone of domestic decarbonisation highlights their central role in the UK’s energy transition. Looking ahead, key regulatory changes are set to accelerate the widespread rollout of heat pumps. In June 2025 the Future Homes Standard will mandate the adoption of heat pumps as standard in new builds and non- domestic buildings. As stated in the EAC response report, starting in April 2025, the Clean Heat Market Mechanism will require boiler manufacturers to sell a minimum number of heat pumps and the 1 metre planning rule will be removed, a barrier that has prevented 27% of customers from installing a heat pump. The increased funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) to £7,500 has also contributed to increased interest in the domestic retrofi t sector. With BUS vouchers already over- allocated for this fi nancial year, it is evident that demand for heat pumps is increasing. For contractors, this represents a notable opportunity
for training and upskilling. Heat pumps require specialist knowledge to install and maintain and the skills gap in this area is signifi cant. Courses focusing on heat pump technology
20 February 2025 •
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- covering everything from system design to installation and maintenance - provide the technical foundation installers need to succeed. Accreditation such as the Level 3 Award in the Installation and Maintenance of Heat Pump Systems will future proof skills and ensure that installers are equipped to meet the demands of this growing market. Whether you’re new to heat pumps or an experienced engineer, investing in heat pump training is essential for staying competitive in 2025.
Heat networks: emerging opportunities District heating systems, or heat networks, are set to play an
increasing role in the UK’s low-carbon heating strategy. The Heat Network Transformation Programme (HNTP) brings UK Government, industry and local authorities together to develop and improve heat networks with an investment of over £500 million. At present, heat networks account for around 2% of the UK’s heat demand but with government backing, district heating is proposed to provide nearly 20% of the nation’s low-carbon heating requirements. These systems are particularly eff ective in urban areas and for large-scale residential developments. The integration of heat networks represents exciting opportunities for professionals in fi elds such as design, installation and energy consultancy. The Department of Energy, Sustainability and Net Zero (DESNZ) has allocated funding for discounted online introduction to heat networks training, providing a key opportunity for businesses and individuals to gain early expertise as demand increases.
Retrofi t: building for the future The built environment contributed more than 20% of all
greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 and is a key target for energy effi ciency policy. By 2028, all commercial properties will be required to meet EPC C in accordance with Minimum Energy Effi ciency Standards (MEES), meaning around 70% will require energy effi ciency upgrades. By 2030, the benchmark rises to EPC B, with non-compliant
properties at risk of becoming unlettable. Achieving these targets will require the pace of retrofi tting to double,
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