The association’s newly published figures show just over 2,400 people successfully completed a qualification during the second quarter of 2024. This pushed the total for the year so far to 4,875.
It marks a 14 per cent increase in the number of people trained during the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
Even more striking is the 37 per cent rise in qualifications between Q2 2023 and Q2 2024.
The figures are based on heat pump training courses that are eligible for the Heat Training Grant.
Laura Thomas, Chair of the HPA Training Working Group, said: “The steady growth in people successfully completing heat pump training courses reflects the increasing recognition and value given to heat pumps as a key technology in the UK’s transition to net zero.
“The rise in qualified individuals year on year solidifies the efforts of training providers to meet the demand of upskilling the workforce to support the growing market.
Supporting the development of a skilled workforce
“The HPA and its members remain dedicated to supporting the development of a skilled workforce capable of accelerating the installation of heat pumps in the UK. With the demand for training continuing to rise, the HPA will continue to collaborate closely with training providers, stakeholders, and policymakers to ensure policy, support and training standards remain up to date and effective.”
Last year, a total of 7,854 people successfully gained an eligible heat pump qualification, compared to 2,951 in 2022.
Previous analysis by the HPA showed that a record high of almost 40,000 heat pumps were installed in the UK in 2023, bringing the total number of certified heat pumps installed to more than 200,000.
However this is still some way off the previous government’s targets of 600,000 being installed every year.
Earlier this year, the HPA considered a range of options for tackling what it sees as the key challenges in accelerating heat pump deployment for domestic heating.
Image credit: HPA.