The Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF) is co-operating with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) to promote renewable skills at the SPAY competition
The Scottish Plumbing Apprentice of the Year (SPAY) competition will see sustainability as a core focus thanks to the renewable technology partnership.
The SPAY competition has been active for 50 years, and is promoting the training of the next generation of skilled workers.
The renewable technology partnership will establish a new category
Renewable technologies will be a new category in the SPAY competition as a result of the SNIPEF and MCS partnership.
This will emphasise the importance of decarbonisation through technology, and the winners in that category will gain both skills and career opportunities for net-zero work.
The SPAY competition is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and has helped over 1,200 apprentices to further their careers. This time, the competition is being hosted at South Lanarkshire College, East Kilbride, and will take place on 13 June. The three categories are copper, leadwork, and now renewable technologies. This new category will focus on heat pumps, and will test both installation and maintenance of these technologies.
The demand for renewable heating specialists is rising and the number of trainees is not keeping up, causing slow downs to net zero transitions.
“The reality is clear, Scotland’s heating systems are changing”
Fiona Hodgson, chief executive of SNIPEF, said: “As Scotland moves towards a low-carbon future, the role of the plumbing and heating profession has never been more critical. The transition to renewable heating solutions requires a skilled workforce, and this partnership with MCS ensures that apprentices are equipped with the expertise needed to deliver the next generation of sustainable heating systems.
“By embedding the renewable technology competition within SPAY, we are not only raising the profile of this essential skillset but also creating real opportunities for apprentices to lead in Scotland’s energy transition.
“Even with delays to recent policy, such as the Heat in Buildings Bill, the reality is clear, Scotland’s heating systems are changing. Whether it’s government-led initiatives, consumer demand or sustainability goals, heat pumps are going to be a core and growing part of the profession’s future.
“The SPAY competition, as an important event in our apprenticeship calendar, plays a key role in this, providing a high-profile platform for apprentices to showcase their expertise and build a future-ready skill set.
“We need more businesses to take on apprentices, but the reality is that many simply can’t afford to. Apprenticeships are the backbone of our profession, but businesses need real financial support to continue training the next generation.
“The Scottish Government must act now to introduce targeted incentives that help employers take on apprentices in critical plumbing and heating skills. If we don’t invest today, we risk not having the workforce we need tomorrow.”
Ian Rippin, chief executive of MCS, said: “With more consumers turning to home-grown energy to heat and power their homes, it’s crucial that there is a skilled installer base delivering high-quality installations against industry-recognised standards. Partnering with SNIPEF to integrate renewables into the Scottish Plumbing Apprentice of the Year competition is a crucial step in developing a skilled workforce for the future.
“We must ensure that apprentices entering the profession are well-prepared to drive the future of clean energy, and this collaboration helps to position them at the forefront of Scotland’s transition to sustainable heating solutions.”
