Managed by GTEC in partnership with MCS, the standards organisation for the sector, funding covers renewable qualifications, plus any other pre-requisite courses – such as energy efficiency or hot water systems. Providing a package of support, GTEC will help individual installers and businesses find a suitable training location, and guide them through the process of MCS and Trust Mark registration.

A minimum package of training and certification is worth approximately £1,300.

Companies have been able to register their interest since the start of the year and so far over 500 have signed up. It is predicted that the RHITSS will help around 1,000 businesses in total.

Growing markets

With the UK heat network scheduled to be decarbonised by 2050, upskilling into renewable technologies will future-proof building services installers' careers, as we move away from our reliance on fossil fuels.

Heat pumps: By 2025, new build properties will no longer be able to use gas boilers; it has been forecast that the heat pump market will double by this point. Air source heat pumps in particular offer a practical solution for ‘average' homes in built-up locations.

Solar thermal: Solar thermal works well alongside existing heating solutions, delivering a cost and energy saving boost in the summer months that is suitable for almost any type of property.

Interested companies can apply for funding and find out more at www.rhitss.co.uk

Despite the current lockdown, where possible, the majority of training centres will remain open.