Growing European Heat Pump Market Increases Demand for Upskilling Diverse Workforce – Samsung Global Newsroom

As the European energy landscape evolves, Samsung Electronics’ heat pump offerings continue to innovate the way European homes can be heated. The heat pump market is growing: the International Energy Agency (IEA) reported an 11% global increase in heat pump sales between 2021 and 2022, particularly in Europe, with 49% growth in sales of air-to-water heat pumps.¹

This is partly a reaction to the energy crisis across Europe, increasing the urgency to find an alternative to fossil fuel boilers, as well as government decarbonisation targets and an increasingly aware population of their impact on the environment. According to a recent study by the IEA, heat pumps could reduce CO2 emissions by half a billion tonnes by 2030 by replacing fossil fuel boilers.²

For example, the heating sector accounts for almost a third of the UK’s annual carbon footprint. The UK government has presented a clear decarbonisation plan which includes a target to install 600,000 heat pumps by 2028.

To sustain this growth, the industry must accelerate progress to shift perceptions towards low-carbon heating and increase the pace of installations. However, there is currently a shortage of trained technicians to meet this increased demand. Recent UK government announcements to support heat pump training are a positive sign in an industry that is growing rapidly month on month, however, further progress is needed. There is an urgent need to create a larger and more diverse workforce. Women, for example, make up just 2% of the UK heating industry³

Samsung Climate Solutions UK has strived to shine a light on how women within the Climate Solutions team and beyond are driving business growth and industry change. Aimee Holloran recently joined the Samsung Climate Solutions team as Business Development Manager for Heat Pumps. She started her journey with a plumbing apprenticeship, received national vocational qualifications (levels 2 and 3) and won the BBC Young Plumber of the Year award in 2010. After that she moved into sales development and found his true passion in low carbon heating.

Speaking of his experience in the heating industry, Holloran said: “During my time on the tools I was often asked if I could lift a boiler or do what the men in my course or crew could do. Sure I can, but a lot of the work is technique, not pure strength, and anyone can learn that.

“It’s a wonderful industry that anyone can get involved in and it’s not just limited to women,” she continued. “As the renewable and low-carbon energy industry grows, there are huge growth opportunities for women seeking purpose in their work. One of my greatest satisfactions is delivering training presentations and sales pitches to convert people to this low carbon technology. »

Likewise, Leah Robson, managing director of Your Energy Your Way, a nonprofit renewable energy and heat pump installation company, has worked with Samsung for more than 10 years. Her story is unique as she first trained in IT before switching to a renewable, low-carbon heating plant after having children, continuing her desire to make a difference in mitigating change. climatic. She now works to encourage others, especially women, to do the same.

“I created Your Energy Your Way in 2018 specifically to bring more women into the industry,” Robson said. “Since then, the company has grown organically, with revenue that has tripled since its inception and growing demand for our installation and integration services for heat pumps, photovoltaic solar panels, solar thermal, batteries and electric vehicle charging.”

“Last year our headcount grew to seven, but our ability to meet demand for renewable energy and low-carbon heating solutions is still limited by size,” she continued. “As part of this, we are working on setting up a female internship program to support the training and development of the next wave of technicians. It’s really rewarding work where you work with great, passionate people who are dedicated to changing the way we heat our homes.

To tackle the energy crisis across Europe, Samsung is committed to empowering women to become technicians in the heat pump industry and supporting organizations such as Your Energy Your Way.

¹ Global heat pump sales continue to grow by double digits
² 5 graphs that show the potential of heat pumps
³ A serious lack of diversity identified in the heating industry, according to the Energy Systems Catapult report.