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From classroom to career: UK’s first low carbon heating apprentices 

Emily Wass, 17, is among the UK’s first low carbon heating technician apprentices, revealing her motivation for choosing a career in renewable heating.

Emily Wass, 17, is one of the UK's first low carbon heating technician apprentices, joining the course to 'make a difference' in renewable heating after learning about the climate crisis in school.

Inspired by her desire to ‘make a difference’ after learning about the climate crisis in her geography class, she joined the inaugural course, that Vaillant and Derby College are running.

Developed by MCS, the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewable technology, in collaboration with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and a trailblazer group of heat pump installers, this apprenticeship seeks to empower new professionals like Emily to support the growing demand for renewable energy expertise.

“This is especially true for other female students because the sector needs more of us to get involved and bring our own unique perspectives to the challenges we face.” 

The apprenticeship will equip students like Emily with the skills and knowledge needed to design, install and commission low-carbon heating technologies, including heat pumps, and will ultimately support the UK Government to meet its target of installing 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028. 

Building the future workforce

Laura Needham, head of training, at Vaillant, said: “The heating industry is developing at pace, and there’s a fantastic support network out there for those interested in pursuing a career in low-carbon heating. Crucially, we are also seeing a gender shift in the sector, which has historically been male-dominant, so it is exciting to be part of these changes and see amazing individuals like Emily building the future workforce.”  

Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS, said: “It’s great to see Emily paving the way for other female apprentices to join the course and we are looking forward to seeing this becoming the norm, rather than the exception. I’d advise other young women to look at Emily as a role model, as well as our own female-led workforce at MCS, to see the diverse roles that are available in the sector. 

“The future of home heating is low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps and solar thermal, and as we drive towards net zero this apprenticeship will contribute to the skilled workforce required to deliver that change.”