Oliver (Olly) Zanetti
oliverzanetti.bsky.social
Oliver (Olly) Zanetti
@oliverzanetti.bsky.social
Senior Mission Manager at Nesta, leading our work on heat pump installer skills. All views my own
But, the HPA reckon only 39% of those will go on to install a heat pump immediately. DESNZ thinks only 27%. We want to push those numbers up.

By starting at home, newly trained engineers get a first install done, giving themselves confidence in their new skills, and giving customers confidence too!
May 14, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Recent figures from the HPA who why this is needed.

We need the UK's plumbers and heating engineers to get skilled up for heat pumps. They're rising to the challenge! According to the HPA 9,062 of them got a heat pump qualification last year!

www.heatpumps.org.uk/wp-content/u...
May 14, 2025 at 9:29 AM
We're so convinced by this approach, we want every plumbing and heating engineer in the UK to have the chance to install a heat pump in their own home for free!

We’re working with industry to make that happen. More on this at Installer Show!
May 14, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Thanks! Good point! I reckon that's true here too. We're trying to work out how it might work for renters but also looking at other initiatives that could build new installer skills and confidence. We're in the early stages of a project on peer mentoring for example www.nesta.org.uk/project/scop...
Scoping installer peer mentoring networks to grow the heat pump sector
Helping newly trained installers to become active, confident and competent members of the heat pump sector
www.nesta.org.uk
March 5, 2025 at 5:10 PM
What’s next? There’s loads of enthusiasm from the sector and we think there’s an opportunity here for government and industry to work together to get this opportunity out to more new installers. We’re working with partners on making that happen. If we should be talking to you too, get in touch!
March 5, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Working with the sector is at the heart of what we do, and we've really benefited from our collaboration with SNIPEF.
March 5, 2025 at 10:51 AM
By installing a heat pump at home, engineers will get vital experience in the practicalities of installing a heat pump and in using one day to day. They’ll have more confidence doing their first job and building a pipeline of work. They’ll be able to advise customers based on first hand experience.
March 5, 2025 at 10:51 AM
For the heat pump market to grow we need more skilled heating engineers familiar with heat pumps and confident in installing them. For many new installers training alone doesn’t go far enough. They leave with a grounding in the basics but don’t feel ready to pitch for or take on a heat pump job.
March 5, 2025 at 10:51 AM