SNIPEF

Drawing on research involving more than 250 plumbing and heating employers across Scotland, this SNIPEF report examines the growing financial and practical pressures facing businesses that train apprentices.

It highlights the vital role employers play in developing Scotland’s skilled workforce and sets out four recommendations for government action to improve financial support, recognise apprentice wage costs, strengthen public procurement and introduce flexible training pathways.

The report calls for a more sustainable approach to apprenticeships.

The Q2 2026 State of Trade report remains Stable, but under increasing pressure. Trading activity continues across the profession and payment performance remains broadly manageable.

The Q1 2026 State of Trade report remains Stable, but increasingly cautious. Trading activity has not fallen away, payment performance remains broadly consistent and product availability is manageable.

This report summarises evidence and recommendations from a heat pump industry roundtable convened by SNIPEF and Nesta at the Energy Training Academy in Dalkeith on 11 February 2026

SNIPEF’s Supporting Apprenticeships: Fixing Scotland’s skills shortage manifesto sets out the urgent need to strengthen Scotland’s plumbing and heating skills pipeline through fairer funding, improved completion and sustained employer support.

The Scottish Government’s consultation on procurement thresholds under the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 sought views on whether existing financial thresholds for regulated procurement and community benefits should be amended to reflect inflation and changing delivery models in public contracting.

The Q4 State of Trade report remains Stable because workload and sentiment have improved modestly and cashflow has not deteriorated, while major disruption risks remain contained

Apprenticeships Under Pressure: Why Scotland Must Act is SNIPEF’s comprehensive employer-insights report examining the state of plumbing and heating apprenticeships across Scotland.

The Scottish Government’s Permitted Development Rights (PDR) consultation sought views on potential changes to planning rules to help tackle Scotland’s housing emergency and accelerate the rollout of low-carbon technologies, including air source heat pumps and heat networks.

The UK Government’s Late Payment Consultation proposes new legislation to improve payment practices, including stricter reporting requirements for large firms, stronger enforcement powers for the Small Business Commissioner, and potential reforms to construction retentions.