A new research project will examine how Scotland can develop the workforce needed to deliver domestic heat decarbonisation ambitions.
The project between BE-ST and Skills Development Scotland builds on research delivered by both earlier this year. This previous research report, named Pathways to Productivity, looked at how to support future skills planning in the construction sector. It explored how the industry can improve productivity by attracting, recruiting, developing, and retaining a new generation of skilled workers.
One of the key findings was strong employer demand for exploring alternative entry pathways into a number of occupations, particularly those supporting the transition to low carbon heating and cooling. As demand grows, the sector will require more people with the skills to install, commission, maintain and support these technologies.
This new research will build on these findings to examine whether additional pathways into heat decarbonisation roles could help increase workforce capacity while maintaining competence, quality and safety.
Rather than recommending a preferred model, the project will assess a range of options, outlining their potential benefits, limitations and implications for future decision-making.
The research will also examine current entry routes into domestic heat decarbonisation roles and identify factors that may limit workforce growth; review international approaches in comparable markets; explore how different pathways could influence workforce supply and time taken to achieve competence; consider a range of possible models, including work-based learning and structured competence development; and identify the skills, knowledge and assurance requirements needed to maintain high standards of competence, safety and consumer confidence.
Douglas Morrison, deputy CEO at BE-ST, said, “Pathways to Productivity identified a clear appetite from many employers to explore different ways of bringing people into the workforce, particularly in areas where demand is expected to grow rapidly. This next phase of the research will build on what was found and provide an independent evidence base to help industry, government and skills partners understand what options could be available, what the trade-offs are, and what would be needed to ensure competence remains central to any future approach so that Scotland is making informed decisions about how we develop the workforce needed for the transition to low carbon heating.”
Elaine Ellis, skills planning manager construction and net zero at Skills Development Scotland, added, “The success of heat decarbonisation will depend heavily on the availability of a skilled and competent workforce. It is clear from the Pathways to Productivity research that only relying on ‘what we have always done’ will not build the workforce needed for heat decarbonisation both in terms of scale or skills. This research will explore the art of the possible and look at what can be done to improve pathways into heat decarbonisation to allow the sector to train for the high level of skills needed, at the volume and pace needed.”
