The UK-wide industry consultation on Heat Networks competence is now open and we want your views.
Consultation closes noon Thursday 10 December 2026.
Have your say
DOWNLOAD AND REVIEW THE DRAFT NOS DOCUMENTATION
Competence has become one of the defining issues for our industry
This project addresses the competence of those involved in the installation and maintenance of Heat Networks systems and equipment.
Creating a more competent industry takes much more than introducing another card, certificate or commercial scheme. It takes people from across our sector giving their time, sharing their expertise and working together to agree what good actually looks like.
That collaborative work often happens quietly behind the scenes. But it is fundamental if we are serious about raising standards and delivering lasting cultural change. And right now, we need the industry's help again.
Help set the standard for Heat Networks
The Heat Networks UK Steering Group (HNUKSG) has opened its industry consultation on National Occupational Standards (NOS) for those working in roles involving installation and maintenance of Heat Networks systems and equipment.
The HNUKSG sits within the wider industry competence structure and brings together specialists, employers and sector bodies to develop an industry-led approach to competence for Heat Networks.
BESA is proud to be part of that work and working collaboratively with organisations from across the UK in engineering and building services. This includes our partners BSE Skills.
What is the Heat Networks competence consultation about?
The first phase of the HNUKSG’s work established core competence requirements in the form of draft NOS for those involved in the installation and maintenance of Heat Networks systems and equipment.
The consultation seeks feedback on the draft National Occupational Standards (NOS) developed to date:
- Installing and Testing Heat Networks Systems
- Diagnosing and Rectifying Faults in Heat Networks Systems
- Maintaining Heat Networks Systems
- Commissioning Heat Networks Systems
- Decommissioning Heat Networks Systems
This matters because competence isn't something you achieve once and forget about. Our people, technologies, regulations and working practices continue to develop and our approach to competence needs to reflect that.
Built by industry, for industry
There is a significant amount of work behind these proposed NOS. Employers, manufacturers, trade bodies, skills organisations and technical specialists have given their expertise and time to developing them.
That collaboration is important. No single organisation has all the answers on competence and no organisation should be developing standards in isolation from the people expected to apply them.
We need NOS that are rigorous enough to raise standards but practical enough to work in the real world. That means listening to the people who manufacture the products, train and assess the workforce, employ Heat Networks installers and, crucially, carry out the work.
That's why consultations matter
Heat Networks have a vital role to play in the UK's transition to cleaner, more efficient heating. As the sector grows, so does the need for a skilled, competent workforce capable of installing, commissioning and maintaining these increasingly important systems safely and effectively.
With greater investment, evolving technologies and a changing regulatory landscape, it is essential that competence standards keep pace with the demands being placed on the industry.
Getting these standards right now will help shape the future of the Heat Networks workforce.
The proposed National Occupational Standards will help establish a consistent understanding of the skills, knowledge and behaviours required across key Heat Networks activities. They can also provide a foundation for future training, qualifications and competence assessment.
But standards must reflect what actually happens on site. They need to be technically robust, practical to implement and relevant to businesses and individuals working across the sector.
We are a not-for-profit organisation
The money we generate is invested back into supporting our members and improving the industry through technical standards, guidance, skills and training, competence, safety and representation.
Our role in this work is therefore simple: help industry develop something that makes industry better.
That often means investing significant time and expertise into work that most people will never see – bringing organisations together, working through difficult technical questions, challenging existing approaches and finding consensus.
Your feedback really does make a difference
Your feedback is essential because the people who best understand installation and maintenance of Heat Networks systems and equipment should have a voice in determining what competence looks like.
We recognise that we're asking busy people to give us their time. Reading technical documents and responding to a consultation takes effort and we want you to be confident that your voice will be heard.
Following the consultation, every comment will be reviewed by our consultant in partnership with the HNUKSG. Where relevant, feedback can result in changes to the functional map and the NOS content.
Help us get it right
If you're involved in any way in the installation/maintenance of Heat Networks systems and equipment then we want to hear from you.
Help set the standard for Heat Networks competence.
The consultation closes noon Thursday 10 December 2026.
DOWNLOAD AND REVIEW THE DRAFT NOS DOCUMENTATION
Thank you to everyone who has already contributed their time and expertise to this work and to everyone who takes the time to respond.
Raising competence is a collective responsibility.