The LCHT apprenticeship has been developed by MCS, the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewable technology, in collaboration with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, alongside a trailblazer group of heat pump installers.

Emily is one of ten apprentices on the inaugural course, which is being run by Vaillant and Derby College, and was motivated by her desire to ‘make a difference’ after learning about the climate crisis in her geography class at school.

She said: “As one of the first apprentices on the programme, I feel like I’m doing my bit to make a positive impact both today and for future generations. It’s a great opportunity to be involved in something at the cutting edge of the industry, so anyone considering embarking on a career in the sector should do it.

“This is especially true for other female students because the sector needs more of us to get involved and bring our 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. It will ultimately support the UK Government to meet its target of installing 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028.

Laura Needham, head of training, at Vaillant, said: “The heating industry is developing at pace, and there’s a fantastic support network 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.”