9 February 2026: National Apprenticeship Week puts skills in the spotlight. The Low Carbon Heating Technician apprenticeship is emerging as central to building the workforce needed to decarbonise homes at scale, says Alastair Mumford, Programme Director at The MCS Foundation.  

As National Apprenticeship Week begins, it is an important moment to reflect on the role apprenticeships will play in delivering the UK’s transition to clean energy. While work to decarbonise homes often focuses on technology, targets and funding, the success of the transition to low carbon heating will ultimately depend on whether we have the skilled workforce needed to deliver it.  

Ambitions to scale up heat ‑pump deployment will succeed or fail based on the availability of trained, confident technicians. Over the past year, there has been genuine progress in addressing that challenge, not least through the growth of the Low Carbon Heating Technician (Level 3) apprenticeship.  

Designed specifically to tackle shortages in heat pump and low carbon heating skills, the apprenticeship is rapidly establishing itself as a central pathway into clean heat careers. With 28 approved training providers registered across England, including further education colleges and specialist training organisations, the level of uptake reflects both strong employer demand and increasing confidence from the training sector that this standard is fit for purpose and aligned with long‑term workforce needs.  

This matters particularly during this week, which highlights the value of earn‑while‑you‑learn routes and their role in supporting economic growth. The Low Carbon Heating Technician apprenticeship shows how apprenticeships can do more than fill immediate vacancies; they can help shape entirely new sectors of the economy.  

Crucially, this is more than a marginal addition to existing plumbing or heating provision. It is a new occupational standard, explicitly designed for zero‑carbon systems. Apprentices develop a deep understanding of the science behind heat‑pump performance, alongside practical expertise in the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of low carbon heating systems. Electrical safety, regulatory compliance and fault‑finding are embedded throughout, ensuring that learners are prepared for real‑world work from day one.  

The standard also places strong emphasis on professional behaviours. Health and safety responsibility, ethical working, teamwork and a commitment to ongoing professional development are treated as essential competencies. For employers, this builds confidence that apprentices are genuinely work‑ready. For learners, it provides clarity about what a career in clean heat involves and what professionalism in the sector looks like.  

This clarity is important. Research consistently shows that young people are motivated by careers that offer purpose and social value, particularly when pathways are clear, well‑funded and backed by employers. The Low Carbon Heating Technician apprenticeship meets those tests, offering a nationally recognised route into a role that directly contributes to decarbonising homes and buildings.  

With heat pump deployment set to increase sharply and retrofit activity expanding across every region, the need for skilled installers is no longer a future concern. It is an immediate one. The fact that nearly 30 providers are signed up with the apprenticeship demonstrates momentum, but it also highlights the opportunity for more employers, colleges and training providers to engage.  

As National Apprenticeship Week shines a spotlight on the power of apprenticeships, the Low Carbon Heating Technician standard stands out as an example of what is possible when skills policy aligns with climate ambition. If the UK is to meet its clean heat goals, ensuring the continued growth and success of this apprenticeship must now be a shared priority.  

The MCS Foundation offers grants for training providers and employers to improve delivery and towards costs. Find out more about the Low Carbon Heating Technician Apprenticeship Grant Scheme – MCS Foundation.