A new course has been launched by the Heat Pump Association (HPA) to help scale up the industry and overhaul the current training route to becoming a heat pump installer. It is hoped that the course, which will be available across 38 training centres spread around the UK, could train over 40,000 installers each year and prepare the country’s installer base for meeting the government’s heat pump deployment target of 600,000 installations a year by 2028.
The three-day course has been developed by training company Logic and those who complete the training will receive an official qualification recognised by OFQUAL. The training is split into two stages with the first two days being a foundation course, providing an overview of heat pump technology, installation guidelines, commissioning and servicing, plus end user hand-over. On completion of the foundation course, participants progress onto in-depth training for air source or ground source systems, each lasting one day.
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, has welcomed the launch of a new training course, saying it will equip the heating industry with the additional skills needed to deliver low carbon heat to hundreds of thousands of British homes.
“While heat pumps are fast becoming a natural option for households, we need to ensure we have enough skilled tradespeople to hit our target of 600,000 installations each year by 2028 – so the Heat Pump Association setting up this training scheme is absolutely critical in this endeavour. Today’s news is a great example of how government and industry can work together to accelerate progress and create the high-skilled jobs needed to make homes greener and more energy efficient.”
Phil Hurley, chair of the HPA, adds: “Today’s launch is a landmark achievement and the HPA is proud to have worked hard with others across industry to bring this new heat pump training pathway to life. When we laid out our vision to government last year, we recognised our role in delivering training and skills, and we have successfully achieved this whilst working in constructive partnership with the Secretary of State and his team.
“The heat pump industry is now fully equipped to lead the way in transforming the way homes are heated to reduce carbon and lower energy bills. Importantly, we are also supporting plans to build back better through upskilling existing heating installers so that they are equipped with the tools and skills they need to allow consumers to access heat pumps as a solution to decarbonise their homes.”
Before attending a course, installers will need to have NVQ Level 2 in Plumbing and Heating or equivalent and also have attended a Low Temperature Heating Systems course, which covers the skills essential to efficient heating (of all technology types).
For more information about the Heat Pump Association, visit: www.heatpumps.org.uk
