The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) has welcomed the government’s commitment to apprenticeships, training, and net zero but stresses that they must be aligned to achieve decarbonisation.
In the autumn statement, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced an investment of £4bn to deliver UK net zero, as well as a further £50 million of funding for apprenticeships.
Kevin Wellman, Chief Executive Officer at the CIPHE commented “It’s extremely positive to hear of net zero investment. As an industry, plumbing and heating is experiencing a period of change, with significant progress underway. There has perhaps never been a more exciting time to join the profession, which is why the funding for apprenticeships is equally pleasing to see. Moving forward, it’s crucial that the approach to net zero and the training pathways available are cohesive, as industry entrants will be fundamental in delivering the installation and maintenance of new solutions, such as low carbon technologies.”
Earlier this year, the CIPHE warned of the importance of mandatory minimum requirements for all heat pump installations in a bid to raise awareness over safety and decarbonisation. Kevin said, “Without a minimum level of qualification, there’s an increased risk that new technologies will not be installed and maintained proficiently. If so, systems could be inefficient and even dangerous for system users.
“It’s true that we need to bring new talent into the industry, but quality standards must be maintained. Apprenticeships provide a clear pathway of entry into plumbing and heating engineering careers.”
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