Time to step up: Addressing the skills challenge
The plumbing and heating industry continues to face a huge skills crisis and, currently, there is little sign of progress.
In fact, to meet demand, the Construction Industry Training Body (CITB) suggests that approximately 45,000 people would need to join the construction sector every year for the next five years to adequately service the public, and, the UK Trade Skills Index 2023 estimates that the UK needs a minimum of 70,000 new plumber recruits by 2032.
To make matters worse, there has also been a 25% decline in college enrolments over the last twelve months, demonstrating that new talent is not joining the industry, either.
The shift towards renewables
Layered on to the skills issue, is that the UK is making significant strides to meet Net Zero.
In fact, the government heat pump grant has seen interest soar, with figures for 2024 reporting that average monthly heat pump installations have increased by 39% compared to 2023, making it a record-breaking year for the technology.
This is very positive, we know, but we need more engineers to be qualified to install renewable technologies, such as heat pumps, safely and efficiently.
The CIPHE’s actions
The CIPHE is an educational charity. Our purpose is to protect the health and safety of the public through a strong qualified membership that is reinforced by their competency and technical expertise.
Supporting the next generation
To bridge the gap and influence the future of plumbing apprenticeships, last year, the CIPHE established a Plumbing Employers’ Group to ascertain the need for a Level 2 apprenticeship, which would not only create an additional career entry point but also encourage employers to take on an apprentice.
The insights from the research and Employers Group resulted in IfATE approving a new qualification designed by the CIPHE to implement new Level 2 & 3 qualifications. The CIPHE will be working with the group, and industry, to put this into action during the term of this manifesto.
Low carbon training
We are pleased that the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) plans to mandate low temperature training and have already launched the CIPHE and LCL Awards qualification on low temperature heating systems in dwellings’ design to help upskill the industry.
Since the launch of the Low Temperature Design qualification in 2022, more than 2,000 installers/designers have completed the course, and, by working with partners across the industry, we will prioritise even greater uptake to ensure that everyone designing and installing future-ready heating systems is competent enough to do so.
Raising industry standards
In addition to reforming the education system, the CIPHE also continues to support the enforcement of water and building regulations to raise industry standards for those already operating in the sector.
The lack of enforcement currently, allows space in which incompetent and rogue traders can operate, presenting risks to public safety. The CIPHE intends to continue this work to ensure public safety.
Want to find out more?
Download our manifesto
The CIPHE manifesto outlines the key issues facing the industry, the crucial steps that the government and other key stakeholders should take, and how we will spearhead this change.
Download the 2025-2027 CIPHE manifesto here.