A shortage of skilled workers means that at the current rate of heat pump and insulation installation it could take ‘several hundred years’ to meet net-zero targets in the South West, a management consultancy has warned.
London-based Gemserv says its research shows that to reach net zero by 2030, every household in the South West would need to be properly insulated and heated by a heat pump in the next seven years.
But it says there is a clear economic benefit to the region in making the necessary changes and some ‘obvious strengths’ on which to build.
Gemserv worked with officials, industry representatives and education and training providers across the South West before reaching its conclusions.
It identified skills shortages in a range of roles including retrofit assessors and coordinators, installers of heat pumps, plumbers, heating engineers and technicians, as well as key gaps in the provision of qualifications for insulation and double-glazing.
Will Taylor, senior low carbon consultant at Gemserv, said: ‘The South West is experiencing skills shortages in areas critical to the net zero transition.
‘However, we found that there is a clear economic benefit to the region in these changes and some obvious strengths on which to build. The South West can now take informed action to drive change with the support of people across the region.’
Sign up here to receive our free daily news and jobs bulletin.
