Custom Heat celebrates record apprentice class amid heating skills crunch

A Midlands heating and plumbing firm is celebrating its largest-ever cohort of qualifying apprentices as the industry grapples with a growing skills crisis.  Six engineers are set to complete their training with Custom Heat during National Apprenticeship Week. 

Midlands based Beth Jenkins, Isaac Clerc, Cam Lea, Caleb Hill and Liam Hazelwood complete their City & Guilds Level 3 plumbing and heating qualifications this year. Meanwhile Dillon Newton, based in the South West operation will also qualify by spring. 

The milestone comes as the heating industry faces a growing skills crisis. There are currently around 130,000 gas engineers registered with the Gas Safe Register, but with around half aged over 55, an estimated 65,000 could retire within the next decade. The figures underline the importance of apprenticeship programmes in securing the future workforce. 

Custom Heat, which is based in Coventry and Rugby and operates across the Midlands and South West, has also gained recognition for its employment practices, including the successful introduction of a four-day working week with Gold Standard accreditation, while maintaining high levels of customer service. 

National Apprenticeship Week runs from 9 – 15 February 2026, with this year’s theme focusing on Skills for Life.