New report from Electrify Heat and the Trade Union Congress (TUC)

By GSHPA

Categories: News, Article, Press

The GSHPA are pleased to share a new report from Electrify Heat and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), setting out recommendations for government and industry to support higher standards and jobs for clean heat – available to download here.

A focus on quality jobs and high-standard training opportunities will be critical for ensuring effective implementation; securing outcomes which are desirable for families, workers and businesses – supporting the Prime Minister’s vision for a high-wage, high-skill economy. It will also translate into a better experience for households: ensuring world class installation and maintenance services.

TUC and E3G (who coordinate the Electrify Heat coalition) ran a workshop on good jobs in heat pumps in Spring 2022, attended by unions, engineers, heat pump installers, energy companies, heat pump manufacturers, standards bodies and experts. E3G and the TUC then conducted a review process, reaching out to wider industry stakeholders to gain further evidence and information. This paper overviews the key themes and recommendations, drawing out next steps for industry and government.

Key recommendations for government

Provide long-term confidence through clear policy and funding
Ensure government-backed green skills schemes provide learners with high quality skills which are genuinely equivalent to existing occupational standards
Support industry to take a negotiated approach towards fair pay across jobs in domestic heating, setting a “going rate” as seen in other advanced economies
Support conditions for more direct employment, apprenticeships and upskilling
Support gender diversity through adopting and promoting best practices in recruitment and employment practices
Support public and industry communications efforts to encourage training and reskilling, including through links to further education
Consult widely with the heating and wider engineering services industry and worker representatives on green skill plans when establishing new legislation and schemes
Provide funding schemes and structure to support the training necessary to scale up the workforce.

Key recommendations for industry

Support attractive, fair pay – setting a ‘going rate’ to avoid a race to the bottom
Consistent, quality skills and training, building upon industry-recognised skill sets
Clear, compelling communications to promote uptake of jobs and training opportunities
Enforce industry-wide standards to maintain quality
Support a just and fair transition for those currently working on gas networks and gas boilers, providing opportunities and support
Boost gender diversity through promoting jobs and skills to school leavers and those in further education, considering additional incentives and trailblazing schemes
Allow and support installers to organise and join trade unions. Enable high levels of unionisation to be transferred from the gas sector to heat pumps.
Support high standard apprenticeships with effective quality control mechanisms