Heat pump engineer

You could take a college course in a related subject like plumbing and heating, or a T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction.

These courses teach you some of the skills you'll need to apply for a trainee plumber , heating and ventilation engineer , or gas service technician position with a company.

Once you've built up your experience, you could take extra training, usually lasting between 3 and 5 days.

This would include:

• heat pump foundation knowledge
• low temperature heating and hot water systems
• individual heat pump technology

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:

• Building Services Engineering Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
• Low Carbon Heating Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Heat Network Maintenance Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

• have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• are in care or have been in care
• are in prison or have been in prison

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
• find an apprenticeship|https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

You could train as a gas service technician , heating and ventilation engineer or plumber . You could then do additional training to become a heat pump engineer.

Training would cover:

• low temperature heating and hot water systems
• heat pump installation and maintenance
• different types of heat pump technologies

Lots of organisations offer training in heat pump installation. You can search for heat training providers in your local region .

Professional and Industry Bodies

You could join the Heat Pump Association (HPA) for professional development opportunities.

Further Information

You can get more advice on heat pump careers and training from the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE).

As a heat pump engineer, you could:

• install, service and repair low carbon heating and hot water systems
• find and fix faults
• follow health and safety requirements
• decommission heating and hot water systems
• show customers how to use their new system

We've identified this as a green job

As a heat pump engineer, you'll help customers switch to more energy efficient heating. This can have a positive impact on the environment.

Find out more about green careers

You could work at a client's business or at a client's home.

Your working environment may be cramped, at height and you'll travel often.

You may need to wear a uniform.