PHAM NEWS | APRIL 2025 6 News Review


Skills gap threatens sector, says TrustMark


A new report by TrustMark reveals that 39,000 businesses in the UK construction and home repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) sectors are at risk of disappearing within the next decade due to a signifi cant skills gap. The report, titled “Skilled to Build”, highlights critical recruitment challenges faced by small and micro businesses, with nearly 45% of surveyed firms reporting at least one job vacancy. This is despite government and industry having implemented


Skilled


to Build: Empowering the UK’s Repair, Maintenance and Improvement sector for a better future.


multiple initiatives to fund career pathways in these sectors. The report goes on to provide practical recommendations to aff ect change and build a skilled and competent workforce. Commissioned from Eureka!


Research and Oxford Economics, the research gathered insights from 1,233 small and micro businesses, identifying specific obstacles to filling these roles. Key issues include excessive paperwork and bureaucracy, a lack of coordinated efforts to locate and fund suitable talent and training, insuffi cient awareness among younger workers regarding possible earnings in the sector, and competition from other industries offering better fi nancial incentives. Addressing these recruitment challenges could lead to the hiring of 195,000 additional skilled tradespeople, potentially generating £4.1 billion in gross value added (GVA) to the UK economy. This amount represents about 4.3% of the RMI sector’s total £96 billion contribution to UK GVA.


Energy secretary visits hot water cylinder plant


MCS sees continued rise in certifi cations


MCS (Microgeneration Certifi cation Scheme) now has over 5,250 contractors certified under the Scheme, the highest since it began in 2008. This milestone comes after a record-breaking year for certifi ed renewable installations in 2024, showing both the growing demand for renewable energy technologies and the increasing consumer confi dence in MCS certifi ed contractors. According to the MCS Data Dashboard, 1,443


installers were certifi ed in renewable technologies, with solar PV leading at 718 certifi cations. Certifi ed heat pump contractors also grew, with 387 in 2024, bringing the total to over 2,000. This rise refl ects the growing demand for low carbon heating, as heat pump installations hit a record 60,000 last year. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/425/03


CMR:Layout 1 17/08/2016 10:21 Page 1


Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has visited Vaillant’s new manufacturing plant producing its uniSTOR high recovery hot water cylinders. Located in Derby, the new £40m facility is not far from Vaillant’s existing Belper HQ where it manufacturers heat pumps and boilers. The uniSTOR high recovery cylinders have


been developed to meet the needs of UK consumers for low-carbon, low-temperature heating systems, as well as traditional boiler systems. A buff er, often required for heat pump systems, can be fi tted above or below the cylinder, meaning cylinders installed with a boiler today will be suitable for a heat pump at a later date, as the buff er can be added retrospectively when needed. Speaking at the event, Ed Miliband said:


“What this new Vaillant plant shows is the diff erent economic opportunities we can get from becoming a clean energy superpower. By building heat pumps in Britain and continuing their roll out, we can not only ensure people have warmer, lower carbon homes but support jobs like these in Derby.” The Energy Secretary also spoke with


apprentices new to the industry and based at the manufacturing plant who are either


The report also underscores the


urgency of the situation, noting that a signifi cant portion of the RMI workforce is ageing – with 44% over the age of 55. Around one-quarter of these individuals plan to retire or reduce their working hours within the next three years, exacerbating the existing skills shortage. The lack of a guaranteed pipeline of work was also reported as a major obstacle to recruiting and retaining talent. TrustMark says it is committed


to helping to address the chronic skills situation the construction and RMI sectors are facing and is looking to collaborate with government and industry to enhance the current infrastructures and build a resilient, long-term, competent and skilled workforce. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/425/02


NEWS IN BRIEF


◼ Mixergy has raised £12 million in funding, led by Barclays Climate Ventures, to enhance its smart hot water storage technology. The investment will support licensing and partnerships in new builds and social housing retrofi ts, as well as expand its R&D capabilities.


◼ The Shoebox NX heat pump from ground source expert Kensa has been recognised on the world stage, winning the International Technology Award at the Energy Institute’s International Energy Awards.


◼ Shower designer and manufacturer, Roman, celebrated its 40th anniversary in March, marking four decades since its establishment in 1985. The milestone was commemorated at the company’s headquarters in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, with a presentation by CEO David Osborne.


◼ The AquaScan digital water multimeter has earned Salamander Pumps a global design award at the iF Design Awards 2025. The device, launched last year, measures flow, pressure, temperature and water hardness, and is recognised among global brands like Apple and Hitachi.


college based or joining Vaillant from the betterWeld organisation, which helps train and place those out of work who would like to learn more and progress in manufacturing. Joe Dunn, plant director at Vaillant


Group UK, comments: “We’re proud to be able to develop our manufacturing bases in Derbyshire, where our heritage lies, and continue to offer employment opportunities for local people from the area. For Vaillant as a heating supplier, it is a natural progression. We were the fi rst boiler manufacturer to open a UK heat pump plant back in 2022. Since then, our team has grown, developed and increased in capacity to continue to support the low carbon heating demand.”


◼ Roca Group has launched a sustainability initiative aiming for carbon neutrality by 2045, showing its commitment to tackling climate change. Recently awarded the EcoVadis Platinum Medal, the initiative comprises a multi-phase strategy that spans every aspect of Roca’s operations.


◼ The Bathroom Manu- facturers Association (BMA) has picked up the award for Trade Association of the Year at the prestigious Trade Association Forum (TAF) Awards.


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