College helping students get 'heat pump ready'

A college said it hoped its new training centre would help meet a need for more engineers to install heat pumps.

Easton College, near Norwich, said its new Renewables Hub had £100,000 of equipment for students and apprentices to learn about green energy systems.

New gas boilers are set to be banned in the UK from 2035, with heat pumps expected to be the main replacement used.

Colin Hyde, from the college, said a growing number of new properties were already having the technology installed. "A lot of the big developers are now putting their heating systems in, so they're heat pump ready," he said.

Earlier this week, the Financial Times reported a ban on boilers being installed in newly built homes would come into effect in 2027.

The government did not comment directly on the report, but said it was "committed to delivering highly efficient new homes that will become net zero as the grid decarbonises".

Lecturer Mr Hyde said the majority of the college's apprentices were still choosing to focus on training for gas boilers, "but that is something that is going to change".

Paul Wilkins, managing director of heating firm Heat Norfolk, said recruitment of good engineers was "difficult" and "knowledge of both systems would be ideal".

"There's going to be plenty of work to do keeping the old boilers going, but with also the knowledge that is required for heat pumps and all the renewables," he added.

The MCS Foundation, which supports training in renewable energy skills, has urged the government to encourage the development of more green jobs and apprenticeships.

Head of research, Richard Hauxwell-Baldwin, said the switch to heat pumps was a "massive opportunity to create good jobs, well-paid jobs".

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