The UK needs to accelerate the development of its heat pump workforce if it is to keep pace with government ambitions for low-carbon heating, according to GTEC.
The warning comes as MCS figures have shown that certified heat pump installations in the first half of 2026 were 17% lower than during the same period in 2025. This is despite overall certified renewable installations reaching a record 210,000.
GTEC said government support for heat pump deployment remains significant. The Warm Homes Plan targets 450,000 heat pump installations a year by 2030 and commits £15bn to home upgrades. Furthermore, the Heat Training Grant provides eligible heating engineers in England with up to £500 towards the cost of approved heat pump training. Changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) have also extended its timeframe to 2030.
Griff Thomas, executive director of Energy Transition and External Affairs at United Infrastructure, GTEC’s parent company, said: “Our Social Infrastructure business is leading the way in helping hard to treat homes to decarbonise and reduce bills, something that is key right now especially with the upcoming price cap increase, but the Air source heat pump market still has a long way to go to meet the ambitions being set for it.
“Government support continues to encourage demand, and as that demand grows, having enough appropriately trained and qualified installers will become increasingly important. For experienced heating engineers, adding air source heat pump capability can be a relatively small investment in training that opens up a significant future market.
“For employers, developing that capability across their workforce also reduces reliance on individual qualified engineers and helps ensure they are ready as demand increases. With funded training currently available through our own training business GTEC, there is a real opportunity for both engineers and businesses to build those skills now, and most importantly help individuals to reduce bills and live in warmer healthier homes.”
GTEC stated that the availability of funded training gives established heating businesses an opportunity to develop capability before demand accelerates, rather than trying to recruit skills once the market has grown.
Its three-day Air Source Heat Pump Training Course leads to an LCL Awards Level 3 Certificate recognised by MCS. It covers the design, specification, installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems up to 16kW.
The course fee is £660 excluding VAT. Eligible engineers in England can access £500 through the government’s Heat Training Grant, reducing the fee to £160 excluding VAT, with VAT payable on the full course fee.
Funded training is also available in Low Temperature Heating. This is a two-day course with a fee of £430 plus VAT, where the grant covers the full course fee and VAT remains payable on the full amount.
GTEC delivers the course at GTEC House in North Yorkshire and at centres in Farnborough and Nottingham, as well as through partner training locations.
Candidates must have relevant existing heating qualifications or registrations, with full eligibility and entry requirements available from GTEC.