TRAINING


Why technicians will be the wheels that move Net Zero forward


When we talk about the UK’s transition to Net Zero, the conversation often follows a familiar pattern. It tends to focus heavily on the technology, target dates, consultations and political influence in Westminster. While these are all of course important parts of the discussion, it misses one of the most critical elements: the technicians who will actually implement these policies. Malcolm Farrow, director of marketing and external affairs at OFTEC, explains


W


hen we talk about the UK’s transition to Net Zero, the conversation often follows a familiar pattern. It tends to focus heavily


on the technology, target dates, consultations and political influence in Westminster. While these are all of course important parts of the discussion, it misses one of the most critical elements: the technicians who will actually implement these policies. Malcolm Farrow, director of marketing and external affairs at OFTEC, explains The transition to low carbon heating will not happen in the briefing rooms of Westminster. Instead, it will be decided inside the homes of millions of consumers, as the outcomes of conversations between households and technicians. It will be these heating technicians working up and down the country who will be physically putting the new technology in whilst advising and overcoming any practical challenges. That’s why, for the off-grid sector in particular with more diverse buildings, training and supporting this workforce is arguably the single most important factor in turning net zero ambitions into reality.


Technicians as trusted consumer advisors


The role of heating technicians has evolved far beyond technical work. In an increasingly complex world of low carbon technology solutions, for busy consumers, technicians are a vital source of guidance and decision making. With 1.7 million oil heated homes across the UK, each with its own unique characteristics, there will never be a one-size-fits-all solution for decarbonisation. Consumers need honest, expert and impartial


guidance on which technology best suits their specific property as well as their own individual needs. Heat pumps undoubtedly have an important role to play and will be a big part of the solution. However, we know many rural and off-grid properties have poor energy efficiency, minimal insulation, or other physical constraints that can make heat pump installations expensive or highly disruptive. In these instances, renewable liquid fuels like


14 August 2026


www.heatingandventilating.net


boiler which can be completed as part of a service. Ultimately, we still believe in a technology neutral


approach. That’s why we launched our heat pump training course with nearly one in ten technicians now registered to install heat pumps. While it is encouraging to see this steady increase in technicians, the government must recognise the challenges still facing the industry. The vast majority of off-grid heating businesses


are small, independent or sole traders. As installation requirements become increasingly complex, investing in additional training for a new technology presents a challenge. Taking days out of a normal working week often means a direct loss of income, alongside the upfront cost of the courses themselves. This is much harder for smaller businesses to absorb compared to larger firms. To address this, policymakers must provide


targeted support that makes training practical and affordable for smaller businesses, rather than just focusing on the consumer side with grants. This includes reviewing how these schemes are designed as they are often geared towards larger installation businesses, but less accessible to smaller businesses. It’s important they have the same opportunities so they can advise their existing customers on the best solution for their home and further build on those trusted relationships they hold.


Maintaining trust and competency


Right: Malcolm Farrow, director of marketing and external affairs at OFTEC


Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) offer an ideal alternative. Trained and experienced technicians are the only ones well positioned to assess a property first hand and ensure householders make the right choice for their circumstances and budgets. We should not allow the government to dictate technology without considering the best outcome for the consumer.


Delivering the transition hands on


Once a consumer is clear on the technology they would like in their home, we are reliant on skilled technicians to install it. We are already facing a significant skills shortage of heat pump installers. One of the benefits of renewable liquid fuels is that there is already a well established industry of technicians, manufacturers and fuel distributors with decades of knowledge. Not to mention, many households rely on the same local technician they’ve trusted for many years who will know their property inside out. OFTEC’s training and registration scheme ensures that, regardless of technology, the technicians are equipped with the skills needed for the challenge. Transitioning a home to a blended biofuel doesn’t


require any modification to the boiler. However, OFTEC has already put in place training materials for the future when we reach the stage where we explore a transition to 100% HVO. This would require a minor modification to the


Introducing new technology into a home can naturally leave consumers with questions, whether it’s a heat pump or renewable liquid fuel. Home heating is an essential utility and householders need absolute certainty that any new system will be reliable and, most importantly, affordable with technicians available to resolve any issues. This is where rigorous training, competency, and accredited registration become vital. Trained professionals are essential to uphold


safety standards across the industry. By ensuring that installations are completed by trusted, accredited technicians under schemes such as OFTEC’s, we can maintain the consumer confidence required to make the transition a success.


A technology neutral future


The current landscape is very different to when net zero policies were first developed ten years ago. The public finances are under huge strain and consumers themselves have far less disposable income. We need to recognise this and adopt a pragmatic approach, with multiple different technologies to ensure every home has viable low carbon solutions. Technicians will be key, and they need to be given the opportunity to get involved. OFTEC remains uniquely placed to lead this change off-grid, offering a single point of contact for technicians wanting to grow their business across all off-grid technologies, from renewable liquid fuels, solid fuel, through to heat pumps. We will continue to invest in support and training for technicians to ensure the industry can deliver a practical, fair, and affordable low carbon future.


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