6 November 2025 (London): The MCS Foundation’s latest report explores what motivates heat pump technicians to become trainers, what holds them back, and how we can better support this vital part of the low-carbon transition.   

Based on in-depth interviews with heat pump technicians and trainers, the report’s key findings include:   

• Personal and social motivations – such as career growth, mentoring others, and addressing the industry’s skills gap – often outweigh financial or environmental reasons.    

• But financial barriers remain significant. Many technicians see becoming a trainer as a pay cut compared to installation work.    

• There’s strong interest in flexible, part-time roles.    

• Early exposure to teaching and mentoring could inspire more technicians to consider training careers later on.    

Our recommendations call for fairer pay for trainers, more opportunities for part-time or hybrid training roles, and better integration of teaching pathways within the heat pump industry.