www.heatingandventilating.net


training levy N


Time for a


ews of how the Government is going to replace the Green Homes Grant Scheme is starting to emerge and it could lead to


a billion pound revamp for homes across Britain bringing with it a lot of new business for installers. A replacement for the Green Homes Grant Scheme is expected soon. The ill-fated scheme which provided homeowners and landlords with vouchers cutting the cost of installing energy- effi cient equipment has gone. New sources of income for installers based on


government-backed low carbon schemes will shape the future of the industry. Coming our way will be Home Upgrade Grants – or Hugs as they are known in the corridors of power. These energy effi ciency grants for domestic properties will pump £150m into the green economy. The next phase of the Government’s ECO 4 scheme will be one worth keeping an eye on too if you’re looking to expand your business. These grants which are available next year are aimed at low income families living in sub-standard properties. This could be worth in the region of £350m to the green economy. The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme earmarked for upgrading hospitals, schools and council buildings will also make many millions of pounds available for low carbon projects. All these schemes at government level are set to roll and heat pump installers need to be ready to grab their share of the money available. The industry is facing lots of opportunities, but we need to be aware and ready to take advantage of them. If you’re not aware of what’s happening and


Haier Europe managing director Bob Cowlard explains why a radical approach is needed to ensure installers have the right training to fi t air to water heat pumps


want to be a part of this – and I urge you to be so – the right certifi cation, insurance and qualifi cations will all be needed to take part in this green revolution. The Government has made it clear that it wants to change the way we heat and cool our homes across the nation as a cornerstone to meeting its Net Zero target and air to water heat pumps are among the key green technologies which will be at the forefront of this change.


With suggestions that cash made available to householders could be as much as a £7,000 grant per home to make the switch then the opportunities for air to water heat pump installers will be plentiful. Now is the time for installers to seize the moment and ensure they have the right skills to take advantage of these bountiful government schemes. I applaud the Heat Pump Association’s announcement that it wants to train 40,000 heat pump engineers a year and this should be backed up with training from


manufactures to ensure correct product application. All sections of the industry agree that meeting the skills challenge is the biggest issue facing the industry. The HPA’s move is defi nitely a step in the right direction as we look to address the problems we have in upgrading the nation’s housing stock. I’d like to go further and see a radical plan to train installers. I believe it’s time for a cross-industry approach to paying for heat pump training. I’d like to see a manufacturer’s levy on every heat pump


sold going towards the training of installers. If we set aside a £100 on every heat pump sold to pay for third-party college-based training schemes it would ensure that the training given is right for the job. The risk of relying on manufacturers or those close to industry bodies to provide this could mean losing focus on what’s really needed, as well as losing the benefi t of independent accredited training. Based upon industry projections this would raise over £10m per year by 2023, surely enough to deliver a world class training programme. A government-backed training scheme paid


for by the levy and independent of manufacturer and industry infl uence would be an effi cient and comprehensive way to meet this challenge. The industry needs installers in great numbers to innovate and take on board new skills. Without them government will simply not be able to reach its Net Zero target how it wants to.


Renewables


DOWNLOAD THE HVR APP NOW


December 2021


25


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36