TRAINING
Train talent or fall behind
With a well-documented skills shortage aff ecting many areas of UK industry, there is an urgent need for manufacturers, employers, training providers and government to work together to expand high-quality training initiatives. Mike Lucken, Conex Bänninger’s Technical Sales Manager - ACR, explains why investing in apprenticeships is a commercial necessity for the HVAC industry.
Mike Lucken
resilience of the building services sector. Conex Bänninger has long championed press-fi t technology and, as part of our ongoing campaign, delivered practical training to apprentices in colleges across the UK. Working closely with tutors, we introduce modern press-fi t solutions, including the >B< MaxiPro system for air conditioning and refrigeration applications. These partnerships combine theory with hands-on experience, ensuring apprentices are familiar with the products and installation methods they will encounter on site from the very start of their careers. The need for this investment has never been more pressing. In recent years, the HVAC and plumbing sectors have seen
A
pprenticeships sit at the very heart of developing the next generation of HVAC engineers and plumbers, and they will play a decisive role in shaping the future
a signifi cant loss of experienced trade professionals. Many engineers born in the 1960s have already retired, while others may be considering doing so. This departure of highly skilled individuals has left a shortfall of talent that cannot be fi lled overnight.
Without a steady pipeline of new people entering the industry, it could potentially impact contractors, manufacturers and end-users, which may result in project delays and increased costs. For more than a decade, school leavers have been strongly
encouraged to pursue a university education, often under the assumption that a degree will automatically lead to improved career prospects. This narrative has undoubtedly reduced the number of young people applying for apprenticeships, particularly in technical trades. Due to this reduction, many employers have struggled to recruit new entrants, while training providers have seen fl uctuating enrolment numbers.
Why apprenticeships are gaining ground However, this perception is beginning to shift. Increasingly, graduates are leaving university with substantial debt, only to fi nd themselves struggling to secure employment that refl ects their qualifi cations. In some cases, graduates are unable to fi nd relevant work at all, while still facing years of student loan repayments and high living costs. For many young people and their families, this has led to a reassessment of whether the traditional academic route truly represents the best option. Against this backdrop, apprenticeships in HVAC engineering and plumbing are becoming an increasingly attractive alternative. They off er the opportunity to earn while learning, gain practical, transferable skills, and build a career in a sector that continues to see strong demand. Qualifi ed HVAC engineers are essential to the delivery of new housing, commercial developments, infrastructure projects and the maintenance of existing buildings. In addition, the drive towards energy effi ciency, low-carbon heating and improved indoor air quality is creating new opportunities for
22 February 2026 •
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