BE-ST and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) have launched a research project to assess new routes into low-carbon heating roles across Scotland, building on the March 2026 Pathways to Productivity report.

The study, led by BE-ST in partnership with SDS, will examine how Scotland can develop the skilled workforce needed to deliver domestic heat decarbonisation at scale. It follows joint research earlier this year that explored how the construction sector can boost productivity by attracting, recruiting, developing and retaining a new generation of workers, and outlined ways to improve the flow of entrants to meet housing and net zero goals.

A key finding from Pathways to Productivity was strong employer interest in alternative entry pathways across several occupations, particularly those supporting the shift to low-carbon heating and cooling. With demand for these systems increasing, the sector will need more people trained to install, commission, maintain and support related technologies. The new research will test whether additional routes into heat decarbonisation roles can expand workforce capacity while upholding competence, quality and safety.

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The project will create an independent evidence base to inform future discussions between industry, government and skills partners. Rather than proposing a single preferred model, it will evaluate a range of options and set out their benefits, limitations and implications for decision-makers.

It will review current entry routes and the factors constraining workforce growth; compare approaches in similar international markets; assess how different pathways could affect labour supply and time to achieve competence; consider models such as work-based learning and structured competence development; and identify the skills, knowledge and assurance requirements needed to sustain high standards of competence, safety and consumer confidence.

The findings are intended to guide future workforce planning as Scotland accelerates delivery of domestic heat decarbonisation. The executive summary of Pathways to Productivity is available online.

Douglas Morrison, Deputy CEO at BE-ST said: "Pathways to Productivity identified a clear appetite from many employers to explore different ways of bringing people into the workforce, particularly in areas where demand is expected to grow rapidly.

"This next phase of the research will build on what was found and provide an independent evidence base to help industry, government and skills partners understand what options could be available, what the trade-offs are, and what would be needed to ensure competence remains central to any future approach so that Scotland is making informed decisions about how we develop the workforce needed for the transition to low carbon heating."

Elaine Ellis, Skills Planning Manager Construction and Net Zero at Skills Development Scotland said: "The success of heat decarbonisation will depend heavily on the availability of a skilled and competent workforce. It is clear from the Pathways to Productivity research that only relying on "what we have always done" will not build the workforce needed for heat decarbonisation both in terms of scale or skills. This research will explore the art of the possible and look at what can be done to improve pathways into heat decarbonisation to allow the sector to train for the high level of skills needed, at the volume and pace needed."