This Heat Pump Week (w/c 29 September 2025), new research shows UK plumbers and heating installers are stepping up to meet demand for low-carbon heating – with Greater London showing a ‘strong pipeline’ of planned heat pump training.
Across the UK, 58% of professionals have already trained or upskilled in heat pumps, with a further 34% planning to do so within the next 12 months, according to findings in City Plumbing’s new Taking the Temperature report.
Only 8% say they have not been trained and do not plan to train in
heat pumps.
Exploring the research in more detail, although Greater London shows slightly below the national average of installers who have already trained in heat pumps (52%), it has a strong pipeline with 39% of those surveyed saying they plan to train in the next 12 months.
Regions leading the way in heat pump training include Wales (75%), East Midlands (74%), Scotland (72%) and the North West (72%).
Northern Ireland, despite having the lowest training uptake today (21%), shows the highest growth potential – with more than seven in ten professionals (71%) planning to upskill in the next 12 months.
Confidence in the heat pump market is growing, with installers citing expected customer demand (37%), the chance to gain a competitive advantage (34%) and personal interest in renewable technologies (38%) as key motivators for training. Practical enablers also matter, with 30% saying they trained because it was convenient to access, and 28% were encouraged or funded by their employer.
However, there remain some barriers to upskilling in renewables. The cost (28%) and lack of local availability (24%) of training was cited as the most prominent concerns, followed by the difficulty in taking time off work to upskill (24%).
Installers also mentioned limited customer demand (24%) and too much competition (20%) as further barriers. A fifth (20%) said they haven’t trained or plan to train as they will retire soon.
Nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents said there are still not enough qualified heat pump installers to meet demand, raising concerns about meeting the Government’s target of 600,000 heat pump installations per year by 2028.
Alongside this, 85% agree that there needs to be more financial support to help people train or upskill in renewables.
Hemal Morjaria, Managing Director – Heating & Renewables at City Plumbing, part of the Highbourne Group, said: “Our research shows clear progress on heat pump training, but some disparities between the regions. Although it’s positive to see so many upskilling, it’s important that we continue to support installers – especially sole traders and small businesses – with affordable and accessible training to future-proof the industry, which plays an essential part in the UK’s net zero ambitions.
“City Plumbing continues to invest heavily in this area. Our partnership with GTEC Training, two centres of excellence, mobile training rigs, and our heat pump umbrella scheme with VitoEnergy are helping hundreds of installers upskill and access government grants, creating a more resilient and future-ready workforce.
“Since 2023, City Plumbing has supported more than 650 installers through accredited training in heat pumps, with further training dates and incentives planned for 2025 and beyond as demand continues to rise.”
The heat pump training costs £660, but with the £500 Heat Training Grant and a £160 City Plumbing credit for a future heat pump purchase following completion of the course, it becomes effectively free.
The next available dates are:
● Bedford 13th October
● Aylesford 14th October
● Farnborough 14th October
● Farnborough 28th October
City Plumbing surveyed 500 plumbers and heating installers across the UK to find out industry trends, opportunities and threats, which are outlined in its new Taking the Temperature report.
