DOMESTIC INSIGHT
www.heatingandventilating.net
Examining the shrinking skills gap in the heating and plumbing sector
The UK heat pump market is moving from ambition into delivery, and the numbers show a sector that is learning fast. Here, Ian Trott, head of training at Baxi, looks at the progress made and barriers still to be overcome, as highlighted by Baxi’s annual installer survey
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CS figures indicate roughly 30,000 certified heat pump installations in the first half of 2025, more than 10% up on 2024, and Baxi’s
2025 installer survey captures that momentum. Almost 60% of UK heating engineers say they are already, or are likely to be, partnering with other companies to develop heat pump competence. What’s more, those citing lack of training as a barrier has fallen by 18% versus 2024. Over the same period more than 1,000 installers attended Baxi heat pump courses. These figures demonstrate demand and
capability progressing hand-in-hand, yet they also reveal important variation and clear priorities for firms adding air source heat pumps (ASHPs) to their portfolios.
How are approaches to ASHP installations evolving?
One of the clearest behavioural shifts is that smaller firms and sole traders are increasingly choosing collaboration over solitary expansion. Rather than attempting to master every facet of an ASHP project immediately, many installers are forming partnerships that combine complementary expertise. For example, one company may provide design and system-sizing knowledge while another undertakes the installation. That model spreads risk, raises project quality and, crucially, accelerates learning for companies that otherwise would take much longer to reach competence. Where a single operator might struggle with the complexity of a full-system job, a coordinated team can deliver a complete installation while each partner gains first- hand experience.
How does training support collaboration?
Training remains central to the transition to ASHP competence. Collaboration can offset resource gaps, but structured education and hands-on practice are what convert competence into consistent on-site outcomes. Practical courses covering system design principles, accurate sizing, component selection, installation workflows, commissioning and diagnostic techniques give installers the confidence to take on whole ASHP projects rather than only parts. Manufacturer-delivered programmes that combine classroom learning with practical workshops have been particularly effective at building consistent standards of work.
24 January 2026
Left: Ian Trott, head of training at Baxi,
What role does commissioning play?
A thorough commissioning process is non- negotiable. Proper commissioning protects contractor reputations, improves first-time-fix rates and increases the likelihood of referral work. It is the point at which theoretical learning is tested against the realities of a customer’s property: flow temperatures, hydraulics, controls integration and occupant behaviour all matter. Baxi’s free assisted commissioning for first ASHP installations for engineers who complete Baxi’s Heat Pump Installer training is proving invaluable in ensuring the learned theory matches reality. This level of support converts classroom familiarity into demonstrable, customer-facing competence.
What does good training enable?
The benefits of effective training are tangible on site. Installers who attend focused heat pump courses report improved system-sizing and component selection that reduce inefficiencies and avoid common pitfalls. Jobs go quicker thanks to streamlined installation workflows that cut surprises and speed commissioning. In cases where problems do arise, stronger diagnostic skills make for quicker fault-finding and rectification. Good training delivers confident handovers that explain controls and performance in ways householders understand, leading to improved customer satisfaction. This all translates into fewer call-backs, more
repeat business and positive referrals that can fund further investment in training and make competence a strong commercial advantage.
What barriers remain?
Despite encouraging trends, the skills gap is not closed yet. Regional variations in uptake, differing business models and the legacy of gas-focused training mean
conversion rates will not be uniform. Some areas and firms will reach maturity quickly; others will lag. The fall in installers citing training as a barrier is welcome, but pockets of the market still lack access to the right courses or on-site opportunities that build confidence. Practical, technician-focused courses that mirror on-site realities rather than theoretical exercises are proving most effective in this area.
How is the industry responding?
Manufacturers, training bodies and trade associations are acting: greater co-operation is producing courses that reflect an ASHP project’s practicalities and emphasise the skills that reduce risk for installers and clients. Emphasis on flow temperature considerations, hydraulics and controls integration such as weather compensation, is helping installers translate design into stable, efficient systems. Partnerships between firms remain important too as they allow smaller companies to secure larger jobs, create repeatable project teams and enable the rapid exchange of knowledge across the supply chain. Taken together, the findings of Baxi’s 2025 installer
survey point to sustained momentum. The sector is not starting from scratch; it is adapting. Adaptation requires sustained focus on practical skills, real-world experience and the support that turns early adopters into a mainstream, scalable workforce. The industry is moving forward and, for engineers ready to move with it, Baxi stands ready to support.
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