Why the Heating Industry Faces a Skills Shortage
The UK’s heating industry is at a crossroads. As demand for air source heat pumps and renewable heating systems rises, the sector urgently needs more skilled plumbers and heating engineers. Yet fewer people are joining the trade, and many existing professionals are preparing to retire. The result? A growing plumber shortage that threatens the UK’s low-carbon transition.
A Retirement Wave That Could Drain the Workforce
A recent Screwfix “Voice of the Trade” report has revealed a stark trend: 25% of tradespeople plan to retire within the next five years.
Even more concerning, only 24% of tradespeople are under the age of 44, meaning the industry’s talent pipeline is already too thin. By 2030, the UK could face a shortfall of 250,000 tradespeople — a figure that includes the very plumbers and heating engineers needed to install and maintain heat pumps and other low carbon heating technologies.
This shortage couldn’t come at a worse time. The government’s ambition to install millions of air source heat pumps over the next decade relies on having a strong, skilled workforce. Without it, project timelines could stretch, costs could rise, and the momentum behind the renewable heating revolution could stall.
Why the Next Generation Isn’t Signing Up
So why are fewer people entering the plumbing and heating trade? There are several contributing factors:
Perception and prestige: Many young people are encouraged toward university routes, while vocational careers in plumbing or heating are often overlooked.
Upfront training costs: Apprenticeships and certifications can require time and money that some potential entrants simply can’t afford.
Lack of awareness of green technology: Few realise how central heat pump installers and heating engineers will be to achieving the UK’s net zero goals.
Industry pressure: High workloads, seasonality, and uncertainty around future technologies can deter new recruits.
Despite these barriers, the outlook isn’t entirely bleak. According to Screwfix, 46% of young people are interested in trade careers, and 64% of tradespeople who have taken on apprentices would be keen to do so again. The desire is there — but the support structures need to catch up.
The Impact on the Heat Pump and Renewable Heating Sector
For a company like Alto Energy, a leading supplier of air source heat pumps and renewable heating solutions, this labour shortage presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
Risks of the skills gap:
Installation delays: Demand for heat pumps is rising fast, but without enough qualified installers, deployment could slow dramatically.
Quality concerns: Poorly trained or overworked installers increase the risk of system faults and inefficiencies, which can hurt consumer confidence.
Rising costs: Labour shortages often lead to higher wages, which can drive up the total cost of renewable heating projects.
Regional imbalance: Rural and remote areas may struggle to attract skilled heating engineers, leading to unequal access to low-carbon technologies.
Turning the Skills Shortage Into an Opportunity
While the plumber shortage is concerning, it also presents an opportunity to rebrand the trade for a new era. The heating industry is no longer just about fixing boilers, it’s about tackling climate change head-on.
At Alto Energy, we believe that the future of plumbing and heating is green, digital, and sustainable. By investing in skills development and supporting heat pump installers, we can help shape the next generation of low-carbon heating engineers.
Here’s how we can all make a difference:
1. Strategic training partnerships
Collaborations between manufacturers, trade colleges, and industry associations can help create clear training pathways for renewable heating specialisms.
2. Upskilling existing plumbers
Many experienced plumbers are eager to adapt. Offering modular training in air source heat pump installation and system design can help them transition smoothly into the renewable sector.
3. Incentivising apprenticeships
Financial support, government grants, or employer-backed training schemes can make the trade more accessible to young people.
4. Promoting “green trades”
We need to tell a better story. Heating engineers are climate heroes — installing the systems that will help the UK achieve net zero. Framing the trade as a purpose-driven, future-proof career can attract new entrants.
What Needs to Change — and How Alto Energy Is Helping
The UK heating industry can’t solve the skills crisis alone. It will take coordinated action from government, educators, and employers.
Policy support: Simplified apprenticeship systems and tax incentives can help SMEs take on trainees more easily.
Education reform: Schools should present plumbing and renewable heating as desirable, high-impact career paths.
Industry collaboration: Sharing resources and developing common training standards can accelerate growth.
Employer leadership: Businesses like Alto Energy are already taking the lead by working with installers, supporting training, and providing the latest in heat pump technology and system design expertise.
Building a Sustainable Future for the Heating Industry
The plumber shortage is real. But it’s not inevitable. By investing in people as well as technology, the UK heating industry can create a sustainable workforce ready to deliver the low-carbon homes of tomorrow.
At Alto Energy, we’re proud to support this transformation. Through our network of installers, our commitment to free heat pump training course, and our passion for air source heat pumps, we’re helping ensure that renewable heating remains not just a goal, but a growing reality.
MCS Umbrella Scheme
If you want to install MCS accredited heat pumps and help your customers access funding like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, our Alto Assured MCS Umbrella Scheme is the perfect solution. We’ll handle all the MCS paperwork and compliance for you, and our expert team will also design, supply, and commission the system, so you can focus entirely on the installation.
