Heat pump engineer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

Entry requirements:

College

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 within a company.

To become a heat pump engineer, you'd then need to do an additional 3 to 5 day course.

This could be a course in:

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

Entry requirements:

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

Apprenticeship

You could do the Low Carbon Heating Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship to become a heat pump engineer.

This will take around 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements:

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

Work

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

This could be a course in:

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

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

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• knowledge of building and construction
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• design skills and knowledge
• knowledge of maths
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to use your initiative
• customer service skills
• leadership skills
• persistence and determination
• the ability to work on your own
• thinking and reasoning skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to work well with your hands
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• the ability to repair machines or systems
• active listening skills
• the ability to analyse quality or performance
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions

What you'll do:

Heat pump engineers install and service zero carbon central heating and hot water systems in buildings.

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

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

Location : You could work at a client's business or at a client's home.
Environment : Your working environment may be cramped, at height and you'll travel often.
Uniform : You may need to wear a uniform.

Salary:

Starter : £22,000
Experienced : £45,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

35 - 43 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends as customers demand

Career Path:

With experience, you could move into supervisory and management roles, and be responsible for a team of engineers.

You could also:

• set up your own business
• get involved in training apprentices
• progress to teaching in a further education college

Find out more about teaching in further education .