Schemes to help incentivise new heat pump installers
11 Aug 2025
The UK has set a goal of 600,000 heat pump installations per year by 2028 and Aira’s latest figures indicate deployment is on track to meet this target. In 2024 over 9,000 people completed training and nearly 100,000 heat pumps were sold. Meanwhile, Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) applications have surged by 54% year-on-year according to Government data - clear signs of growing momentum across the sector.
However, one of the biggest challenges remains converting trained individuals into active installers. The transition to low-carbon heating depends on building a skilled and confident workforce. Many new entrants lack the hands-on experience needed to move confidently from classroom to live installations.
To help bridge the gap, two government support schemes are now available to LCL Awards centres and their learners: the Heat Training Grant (HTG), which provides £500 towards the cost of training, and Nesta’s Start at home programme, which offers newly qualified installers the chance to fit a heat pump in their own home with full expert support. Together these schemes are helping to build the future workforce the UK needs.
Heat pump installer incentives explained
Heat Training Grant: support for trainees
The UK Government has allocated a £5 million budget to the Heat Training Grant, aimed at supporting eligible trainees in England to take short courses in heat pump training. Since its launch in mid-2023, over 10,650 training placements have already been successfully delivered to date, and with over 60 training provider locations across England currently offering the grant, the funding is widely available, giving LCL Awards centres ample opportunity to get involved and expand delivery.
LCL Awards approved centres in England offering heat pump qualifications can participate in the scheme. In most cases the grant is used as a discount on eligible courses.
For any centres not yet taking advantage of the scheme, more information can be here.
Start at Home scheme: Install a free heat pump in your home
Nesta’s Start at Home scheme helps newly qualified air source heat pump (ASHP) installers gain their first practical installation experience by fitting a free heat pump in their own home.
In partnership with manufacturers and MCS umbrella schemes, Start at Home enables installers who have just completed training access to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), fully funding an installation in their own property. Support from each partnering manufacturer varies slightly but in most cases the cost of the heat pump will be covered. Some manufacturers are even giving some money back to the installer.
The scheme offers valuable hands-on experience, helping installers develop a deeper understanding of system setup, commissioning, and real-world performance in a low-risk environment with expert support. It aims to build installer confidence, ease the transition from training to employment, and ultimately accelerate the adoption of heat pumps across the UK.
Why is this important?
For new entrants to the heat pump market, real-world experience is one of the key barriers - as highlighted in Nesta’s research. The Start at Home initiative gives learners who don’t have MCS certification a structured opportunity to complete their first install with manufacturer support - providing an essential stepping stone between training and professional work.
How can LCL Awards centres and their learners get involved?
LCL Awards centres delivering heat pump qualifications can support learners in accessing the Start at Home scheme by familiarising themselves with the programme and exploring opportunities to collaborate with umbrella schemes and manufacturers involved in the initiative. Centres should review the Start at Home partner page to understand how the scheme operates and identify potential regional scheme providers to work with. Trainees can find schemes in their area via the Start at Home website.
What should LCL Awards centres do next?
If your centre delivers heat pump qualifications, consider the following steps to maximise benefits for your trainees:
-
Ensure your centre is approved by LCL Awards to deliver heat pump qualifications and is registered with Midlands Net Zero to enable access to the Heat Pump Training Grant vouchers.
-
Familiarise yourself with the Start at Home scheme, including the umbrella schemes and manufacturers involved, to understand how your learners can access the practical installation opportunities. While centres do not need to register directly with Nesta unless they provide the full scheme support, staying informed about the initiative is essential.
-
Inform learners about the Heat Training Grant and Start at Home scheme, highlighting the benefits such as subsidised training and the chance to install a free heat pump at home with manufacturer and umbrella scheme support.
-
Encourage trainees to connect directly with approved umbrella schemes managing access to Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding, such as:
-
Grant UK
-
Renewables Centre
-
HISA
-
HPIN+
-
Alto Assured
-
Vaillant
-
Confirm with trainees what equipment and support are included in their chosen scheme via the manufacturers involved.
-
Maintain contact with trainees who participate in the Start at Home scheme to gather feedback and explore potential PR opportunities for your centre.
-
Mentorship and technical support during installations are generally provided by the Start at Home scheme providers (umbrella schemes and manufacturers), but centres can offer additional guidance if appropriate.
Trainees who utilise both the Heat Training Grant and the Start at Home scheme stand to benefit from very cheap training, a free heat pump and invaluable experience that will help them become more confident heat pump installers. All in all, there’s never been a better time to become a heat pump installer!
The UK has set a goal of 600,000 heat pump installations per year by 2028 and Aira’s latest figures indicate deployment is on track to meet this target. In 2024 over 9,000 people completed training and nearly 100,000 heat pumps were sold. Meanwhile, Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) applications have surged by 54% year-on-year according to Government data - clear signs of growing momentum across the sector.
However, one of the biggest challenges remains converting trained individuals into active installers. The transition to low-carbon heating depends on building a skilled and confident workforce. Many new entrants lack the hands-on experience needed to move confidently from classroom to live installations.
To help bridge the gap, two government support schemes are now available to LCL Awards centres and their learners: the Heat Training Grant (HTG), which provides £500 towards the cost of training, and Nesta’s Start at home programme, which offers newly qualified installers the chance to fit a heat pump in their own home with full expert support. Together these schemes are helping to build the future workforce the UK needs.
Heat pump installer incentives explained
Heat Training Grant: support for trainees
The UK Government has allocated a £5 million budget to the Heat Training Grant, aimed at supporting eligible trainees in England to take short courses in heat pump training. Since its launch in mid-2023, over 10,650 training placements have already been successfully delivered to date, and with over 60 training provider locations across England currently offering the grant, the funding is widely available, giving LCL Awards centres ample opportunity to get involved and expand delivery.
LCL Awards approved centres in England offering heat pump qualifications can participate in the scheme. In most cases the grant is used as a discount on eligible courses.
For any centres not yet taking advantage of the scheme, more information can be here.
Start at Home scheme: Install a free heat pump in your home
Nesta’s Start at Home scheme helps newly qualified air source heat pump (ASHP) installers gain their first practical installation experience by fitting a free heat pump in their own home.
In partnership with manufacturers and MCS umbrella schemes, Start at Home enables installers who have just completed training access to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), fully funding an installation in their own property. Support from each partnering manufacturer varies slightly but in most cases the cost of the heat pump will be covered. Some manufacturers are even giving some money back to the installer.
The scheme offers valuable hands-on experience, helping installers develop a deeper understanding of system setup, commissioning, and real-world performance in a low-risk environment with expert support. It aims to build installer confidence, ease the transition from training to employment, and ultimately accelerate the adoption of heat pumps across the UK.
Why is this important?
For new entrants to the heat pump market, real-world experience is one of the key barriers - as highlighted in Nesta’s research. The Start at Home initiative gives learners who don’t have MCS certification a structured opportunity to complete their first install with manufacturer support - providing an essential stepping stone between training and professional work.
How can LCL Awards centres and their learners get involved?
LCL Awards centres delivering heat pump qualifications can support learners in accessing the Start at Home scheme by familiarising themselves with the programme and exploring opportunities to collaborate with umbrella schemes and manufacturers involved in the initiative. Centres should review the Start at Home partner page to understand how the scheme operates and identify potential regional scheme providers to work with. Trainees can find schemes in their area via the Start at Home website.
What should LCL Awards centres do next?
If your centre delivers heat pump qualifications, consider the following steps to maximise benefits for your trainees:
-
Ensure your centre is approved by LCL Awards to deliver heat pump qualifications and is registered with Midlands Net Zero to enable access to the Heat Pump Training Grant vouchers.
-
Familiarise yourself with the Start at Home scheme, including the umbrella schemes and manufacturers involved, to understand how your learners can access the practical installation opportunities. While centres do not need to register directly with Nesta unless they provide the full scheme support, staying informed about the initiative is essential.
-
Inform learners about the Heat Training Grant and Start at Home scheme, highlighting the benefits such as subsidised training and the chance to install a free heat pump at home with manufacturer and umbrella scheme support.
-
Encourage trainees to connect directly with approved umbrella schemes managing access to Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding, such as:
-
Grant UK
-
Renewables Centre
-
HISA
-
HPIN+
-
Alto Assured
-
Vaillant
-
Confirm with trainees what equipment and support are included in their chosen scheme via the manufacturers involved.
-
Maintain contact with trainees who participate in the Start at Home scheme to gather feedback and explore potential PR opportunities for your centre.
-
Mentorship and technical support during installations are generally provided by the Start at Home scheme providers (umbrella schemes and manufacturers), but centres can offer additional guidance if appropriate.
Trainees who utilise both the Heat Training Grant and the Start at Home scheme stand to benefit from very cheap training, a free heat pump and invaluable experience that will help them become more confident heat pump installers. All in all, there’s never been a better time to become a heat pump installer!