Energy efficiency, zero emissions and low carbon heating systems, microgeneration and heat networks - skills requirements: consultation analysis

1. Introduction

1.1 This report presents the independent analysis of responses to the Scottish Government Consultation on Scottish skills requirements for energy efficiency, zero emissions and low carbon heating systems, microgeneration and heat networks for homes.

1.2 The engagement process ran from 5 February to 30 April 2021.

Background

1.3 This consultation was published alongside the consultation on the draft Heat in Buildings Strategy, which sets out the Scottish Government's vision for decarbonising heat and reducing energy demand across all buildings in Scotland. The Strategy also sets out the scale of the investment opportunity and supporting green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This can only be achieved if there is a robust supply chain in place with the necessary skills to deliver on the vision.

1.4 Developing Scottish specific skills requirements for energy efficiency, zero emissions and low carbon heating systems, microgeneration and heat networks is important as the current skills landscape can be fragmented, open to interpretation and is often provided by non-accredited training providers. Furthermore, the development of Scottish skills requirements will help both professionalise services in the sector and provide career pathways, particularly for young people which will be vital to the sector's future.

This Consultation

1.5 This consultation sought views on the Scottish Government's proposals for energy efficiency, zero emissions and low carbon heating systems, microgeneration and heat network skills requirements. While the primary focus was on retrofit work for homes, some of these skill requirements will also be relevant for new-build housing, and in certain circumstances non-domestic buildings. These requirements relate to retrofit installers, energy assessors, designers, advisors, evaluators and retrofit coordinators.

1.6 Once implemented, these skills requirements will create a best practice standard for the sector, and will be a minimum requirement for Scottish Government-supported programmes.

1.7 More specifically, the consultation sought views on the proposals and their implementation. The proposals are:

• The installer skills matrix developed by the sector skills bodies, industry and other key stakeholders in Scotland is adopted and fully integrated into the British Standards Institution (BSI) Publically Available Specification (PAS) 2030 installer standards and Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) installer standards to reflect Scotland's skills needs.
• To adopt the BSI PAS 2035 retrofit standards for Scotland and the associated skills and competency requirements for other retrofit roles where we will work with skills agencies, including the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to consider the need for qualifications and/or further training in Scotland for these roles, particularly where no qualifications currently exist in Scotland.

1.8 The consultation also sought views on the impact these requirements will have on the Scottish supply chain, particularly in remote rural and island areas.

Report Structure

1.9 Section 2 provides details of the engagement methodology and a profile of the respondents.

1.10 Section 3 covers the proposals for installer skills requirements, and Questions 1 to 3 of the consultation.

1.11 Section 4 provides views on the PAS 2035 requirements for other roles (Question 4).

1.12 Section 5 provides views on plans to develop heat networks skills (Question 5).

1.13 Section 6 presents views on the potential impact of skills requirements on remote rural and island communities and the sector (Questions 6a, 6b and 7).

1.14 Section 7 presents views on the potential role of digital technology to meet the skills requirements (Question 8).

1.15 Section 8 reports on any additional areas of skills which should be also considered (Question 9).

1.16 Section 9 presents views on support which would help the sector achieve the proposed skills requirements (Question 10).

1.17 The following appendices have been attached:

• Appendix A provides a classification by organisation type for those organisations that responded to the online consultation.
• Appendix B presents a list of the questions raised by participants that attended webinar(s) held to supplement the online consultation.