The Heat Pump Association (HPA), the trade body for the UK heat pump sector, published figures on 4 March 2024 showing that the number of individuals completing training to become qualified heat pump installers rose by 166 per cent, from just under 3,000 in 2022 to close to 8,000 in 20231. The HPA said this brings the total number of heat pump installers qualified over the two years to just under 11,0001.
The figures count individuals who successfully completed one of the heat pump training courses eligible for the Heat Training Grant in 2023 compared with 20221. The HPA stated that the data cannot identify whether those qualified are currently working in the sector1. It projects that the UK needs the equivalent of 33,700 full time employed heat pump installers to support the transition to clean heating in line with government ambitions1.
"the number of individuals who have completed training to become qualified heat pump installers has seen an impressive increase of 166% from just under 3,000 in 2022 to close to 8,000 in 2023"
The HPA said many of the 11,000 individuals will have received grants from government schemes including the Home Decarbonisation Skills Training Competition, skills bootcamps and the current Heat Training Grant1. It said the Heat Training Grant can support around 6,000 additional heat pump trainees in England over the next 13 months, and that it expects the upward trend to continue in 20241. The association added that its manufacturing members alone can train 40,000 individuals each year1.
Minister for Affordability and Skills Amanda Solloway said there had been a surge of heat pump applications since support grants were increased by 50 per cent, and that thousands were joining the skilled workforce1. Laura Needham, Chair of the HPA's Training Working group, said a qualified, competent and committed installer network is vital to meeting the government's net zero targets1. Training providers also gave figures and comments: OFTEC training manager David Knipe said over 1,330 heating technicians had undertaken its heat pump courses in the last year1. Paul Collins, Technical Director at NICEIC, said the industry needs to continue to push to meet the targets ahead1.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Completions of eligible training, 2022 | Just under 3,000 |
| Completions of eligible training, 2023 | Close to 8,000 |
| Increase | 166 per cent |
| Total qualified over the two years | Just under 11,000 |
| Installers the HPA says the UK needs | 33,700 full time equivalent |
Why it matters for households
A larger pool of trained installers bears on how quickly a household can get a heat pump surveyed, specified and fitted, and on how much choice there is between firms. The HPA's own figures show the pipeline of newly qualified people growing, but they do not show how many of them are actually installing, so the number available to work in homes has not been reported1. The gap between the roughly 11,000 qualified over two years and the 33,700 full time equivalent roles the HPA says are needed indicates the scale of recruitment still implied by government ambitions1. For a home weighing up a move away from gas or oil heating, installer availability and competence are part of energy independence alongside the equipment itself; the installer qualifications and training route is where that competence is evidenced, and the wider heat pump installation statistics set the context for how fast the heat pump market is expanding.
What happens next
The HPA said the Heat Training Grant can support around 6,000 additional heat pump trainees in England over the next 13 months, and that it expects the upward trend in qualified installers to continue in 20241. No further dated commitments were given in the announcement.