EDITOR’S COMMENT & CONTENTS Skills crisis reaching boiling point
T
he building services industry is currently facing a significant skills crisis with a severe shortage of skilled workers across varied trades. Reasons for this include an ageing workforce, declining interest from youth, issues related to training opportunities and also availability of skilled trainers. It’s a ongoing issue that’s been on the radar for trade bodies and industry professionals but now appears to be reaching boiling point.
It’s led to the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) launching a Skills Legacy Programme to address the low number of trainers and assessors. The aim is to plug a gap which, if left filled, would be unfixable by the end of the decade, BESA warns. (Pg4). There is also a gap in the number of trained heat pump installers and those actually involved in installing heat pumps. This is an issue of concern for the
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Battery storage training
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Heat Pump Association (HPA) which is working with government to monitor and understand this better (Pg 10) with a view to finding a solution. In spite of this gap, the demand for renewable training is still accelerating which has led renewable training provider GTEC, on a mass drive to recruit 65 trainers. The aim is to fulfil the demand for heat pump, battery storage, solar PV and electrical and mechanical courses. (Pg 5) The skills shortage is being felt across the built
environment, but this is particularly apparent in the Building Energy Management Systems (BEMs) sector with many jobs requiring data skills going unfilled. One important pathway to address this is BCIA’s level 4 apprenticeship course. (Pg 7)
A number of these topics will come to the fore in BSEE’s Bridging the Gap Supplement in our April issue. Heather Ramsden, Editor
18 From the Editor
Editor: Heather Ramsden
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4 News & Appointments Industry news, appointments and quotes
7 Industry Comment Apprenticeships hold the key to a brighter BEMS future
8 District Heating /Heat Networks Preparing for heat network zoning
10 Air Source & Ground Source Heat Pumps Overcoming challenges in the heat pump sector for 2025
11 Air Source & Ground Source Heat Pumps ‘First-of-its-kind solution’ contributes to a sustainable energy transition
12 Air Source & Ground Source Heat Pumps Green heating boost for 19th-century former vicarage
14 Maintenance & Refurbishment Chiller upgrade for extraordinary venue
16 Industry Comment What does the first year on an accelerated Net Zero path have in store for UK businesses?
18 Waste Management & Water Treatment A fresh approach to water treatment
20 Waste Management & Water Treatment Turning the tide on water conservation
22 Retrofit & Sustainable Buildings Retrofitting energy-efficient windows key to upgrading of social homes
24 Ask the Expert Where to for commercial heating?
26 Event Preview ISH 2025: Solutions for a sustainable future
28 Maintenance & Refurbishment Managing the risks of dust and vibration
30 Installation News Electric hoist crucial to gin distillery
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Mar25.indd 1 4/2/25 10:38 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER MARCH 2025 3
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