Heat in Buildings: progress report 2023

Workers and skills 

Support for skills and supply chain

We estimate that with current levels of demand our supply chains for clean heating systems and energy efficiency improvements are largely balanced. However, to make this transition at the pace and scale needed we will require these supply chains to grow substantially, particularly the number of reliable and skilled tradespeople and businesses who can advise upon and install systems and improvements. Businesses in the supply chain will also need to undergo a cultural and business model change, adapting to the practical challenges associated with delivering technologies such as heat pumps, integrating with a wider range of trades, and working to streamline the process for consumers.

In November 2022 we published our Heat in Buildings Supply Chains Delivery Plan, which sets out practical steps that we will take to support the growth of the green heat sector. Alongside this we also published our response to the Heat Pump Expert Advisory Groups final report.

The plan highlights the key role that government can play in supporting this growth and change within the sector by sending market signals about our intentions to which businesses across the supply chain could then respond.

The plan launched a new £17.6 million Green Heat Innovation Support Programme to support Scottish companies to respond to clean heat innovation challenges.

Supporting Scotland’s current and future workforce to develop the skills needed for the net zero transition is a priority for this government. Training provision is already available throughout both the public and private sector, with many colleges across Scotland already offering heat pump training, with more facilities under development. However, to ensure that training is equally available across all geographic areas we have invested in a new Mobile Heat Pump Training Centre, accessible to any college in Scotland, which will be capable of delivering on-site training in remote and rural areas.

We will continue to work with the sector to identify and address any gaps in training provision or support.