SNIPEF, the Scotland and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation, has welcomed an announcement of funding to help upskill plumbing apprentices and employees in the installation of ground and air source heat pumps.
The new skills will help support the aim for 126,000 buildings to be fitted with heat pumps by the end of 2025 and more than 50% of Scottish homes to be heated through renewable technology by 2030.
With the new Low Carbon Heat Skills Grant, the Scottish Government will be offering employers a grant covering up to 50% of the cost of training courses for SME businesses.
SNIPEF is also offering its Scottish members funding of 200 places on the air and ground source heat pump course at £150 – which would mean, given the government funding of £300, the course would cost firms only £150.
Martyn Raine, technical and skills manager of SNIPEF, said, “This is very welcome assistance from the Scottish Government at a time when the direction of travel is so clearly towards low carbon technologies and we are pleased to be able to put additional funding in place to encourage take-up. We would encourage all our member companies to take advantage of this scheme in order to enhance their workforce capability and also to play their part in creating a new environment of sustainable energy.”
A recent survey of SNIPEF members about renewables showed that 88% would like to see heat pump training with 76% preferring combined on-site and online study.
Fiona Hodgson, chief executive of SNIPEF, added, “It is in everyone’s interests to act as soon as possible to reduce unnecessary emissions from heating our buildings and there are wonderful new technologies available which will help us to make a real difference. Harnessing the power of renewables has never been easier and homeowners can choose from systems such as biomass, ground source heat pumps, air source heat pumps, solar water heating and thermal energy stores.
“SNIPEF has been a long-standing supporter of energy efficiency and our member firms are well-placed to give homeowners and businesses professional, impartial advice and guidance about the best ways to contribute to carbon reduction.”
