What is the Low-Carbon Heating Technician Apprenticeship? 

The Low Carbon Heating Technician Apprenticeship (LCHTA) is the first dedicated training provision for heat pump engineers in the UK. The apprenticeship was hand-picked by industry experts to mark King Charles III’s Coronation as one of the apprenticeships that can help tackle the climate emergency.

The apprenticeship was rolled out for the first cohorts in September 2024. It will equip a new generation of workers with the skills needed to design, install and commission low-carbon heating technologies.

The apprenticeship has been allocated one of the highest funding bands by the Department for Education, meaning training providers receive up to £22,000 for every apprentice.

MCS, the UK standards organisation for small-scale renewable energy, helped develop the LCHTA apprenticeship standard in partnership with IfATE and an Employer Trailblazer Group. 

The need for a dedicated low-carbon heating apprenticeship: 

The UK heat pump sector is set to play an integral part in the transition away from fossil fuel heating systems and onto renewables. However, until recently, there has been no dedicated training provision for heat pump engineers.

Heat pump installation rates are increasing, and the Government has a target of reaching 600,000 heat pump installations a year by 2028 across the UK. Suitably trained and experienced engineers will be needed to meet this demand.

Why hire an apprentice? 

There are lots of reasons to hire an apprentice. Some of the advantages that installers told us they see include: 

• Futureproofing your business 

• Growing your workforce with new talent 

• Accessing new markets with more contracts 

• Developing your brand  

• Accessing funding via apprenticeship levy schemes 

Funding and costs 

In most cases, the training provision on the apprenticeship will be 95-100% funded. If your business pays the apprenticeship levy, training will be 100% funded. For non-levy payers, up to 95% of training costs can be funded. Apprenticeship levy transfers can be used to cover the training cost for non-levy payers. More information about levies can be found at www.apprenticeships.gov.uk 

Additional financial support exists for hiring: 

• 16 to 18 year olds
• 19 to 25 year olds who have an education, health and care plan (EHCP)
• 19 to 25 year olds who have been in local authority care