Government to Train 18,000 Workers for Green Home Upgrades as Heat Pump Demand Soars

In a bold push toward a greener future, the UK Government has revealed plans to equip thousands of workers with the skills to deliver vital low-carbon home upgrades. The focus will be on heat pump installation, boosting energy efficiency, and strengthening supply chains. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) aims to train up to 18,000 new workers to meet the growing demand for retrofitting homes with energy-efficient technologies and low-carbon heating systems.

The Warm Homes Skills Programme, a key part of the Government’s strategy, will provide 9,000 training opportunities across England. These placements will cover essential skills, including solar panel installation, insulation fitting, and heat networks — critical components for a sustainable housing future.

At the same time, the Heat Training Grant is receiving a significant boost. An additional £5m in funding will extend the grant to March 2026, ensuring the training of 5,500 heat pump installers and 3,500 heat network professionals. By the end of March 2025, the grant will have trained over 10,650 workers, marking a significant milestone in the UK’s green skills revolution.

The UK is targeting a significant expansion in green jobs, aiming to create two million roles by 2030, a substantial increase from the 270,000 roles in 2022. Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak had previously cited a lack of skilled tradespeople as a significant factor in the demise of the Green Homes Grant in 2021, with three-quarters of its £2bn budget left unspent.

Make UK’s director of policy and public affairs, Verity Davidge, said: “As we continue to transition to a low-carbon economy, it is critical we have the people and skills needed to make it happen.

“Today’s announcement is a positive step towards ensuring the workforce is equipped with these skills. Many of those trained will develop the transferable skills needed to support industry in its own quest to transition to net-zero.”

Meanwhile, demand for heat pumps has hit unprecedented levels, signalling a significant shift in the UK’s heating landscape. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), which provides grants of up to £7,500 per home, saw an astonishing 4,028 applications in March 2025 — the highest number since the scheme’s launch in 2022. This marks an 88% increase compared to the same month in 2024.

The majority of applications—3,964—were for air-source heat pumps, the most common type. Fewer applicants sought grants for ground-source heat pumps (47), shared ground loop systems (2), and biomass boilers (15). Over 2,400 grants were paid out in March, bringing the total number of supported installations to 49,136.

To keep up with demand, DESNZ has launched a consultation to revise the BUS with several key proposals:

• Expanding eligibility to include air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries, which are currently excluded.

• Introducing flexible payment models, such as:

  • Hire purchase (paying in installments to own the heat pump eventually)

  • Hire purchase plus (bundling energy tariffs with the payment plan)

  • Leasing (renting with the option to upgrade or renew)

However, the UK is not on track to meet its climate goals regarding decarbonizing heating and buildings. Official advisors have repeatedly warned that urgent action is needed to comply with the country’s legally binding climate commitments.

To further strengthen green infrastructure, the UK has allocated a £4.6m investment to Copeland, a heat pump manufacturer based in Northern Ireland. The funding, matched by Copeland’s own private investment, will expand the UK’s production of compression technology, a critical component of heat pumps. This move is designed to boost domestic supply and reduce the country’s reliance on international gas markets.

Copeland’s Europe president, Sando Matic, said: “This investment marks a pivotal step in advancing clean energy solutions and driving economic growth.

“By expanding our manufacturing capabilities for heating solutions here in Northern Ireland, Copeland is proud to play a key role in helping to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and supporting the energy transition to more sustainable, electricity-powered heating.”