05 February 2026
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A Midlands heating and plumbing firm is celebrating its largest-ever cohort of qualifying apprentices, with six engineers set to complete their training this year during National Apprenticeship Week.
Midlands based Custom Heat will see Beth Jenkins, Isaac Clerc, Cam Lea, Caleb Hill and Liam Hazelwood complete their City & Guilds Level 3 plumbing and heating qualifications this year. The company's South West operation will also see Dillon Newton, aged 23, from Bodmin, who is studying at Cornwall College Group, qualify by spring.
The apprentices represent the next generation of skilled engineers entering the sector, at a time when demand for qualified heating and plumbing professionals continues to increase across the UK.
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.
The six apprentices reflect a range of routes into the trade. Beth, 28, joined Custom Heat after switching careers from the care sector and was crowned HPM Apprentice of the Year 2025, recognised for bringing strong communication and customer care skills into the traditionally male-dominated industry.
Isaac, 22, joined the company in 2021 and has gained experience across domestic and commercial work, including bathrooms, boiler installations, underfloor heating and heat pump systems. Cam, 23, followed his father into gas engineering after meeting Custom Heat engineers through his rugby club, while Caleb, 21, and Liam, 23, entered the trade after previous roles in vehicle maintenance and construction. Dillon was crowned Gold medallist for plumbing at the WorldSkills UK National Finals in November 2025, competing against more than 400 finalists across over 40 skill categories.
“The actual experience of being on the job has been far more valuable than classroom learning alone,” said Isaac. “There’s such a wide range of work that I’m learning something new almost every day.”
Cam added: “The support from Custom Heat has been amazing. I’ve felt completely backed throughout the process.”
Lincoln Smith, Managing Director of Custom Heat, said the company had made long-term investment in apprenticeships a core part of its strategy. “We couldn’t be prouder of these five engineers. They’ve shown real dedication and skill throughout their training and represent exactly the kind of talent the industry needs. Over the past decade, we’ve supported around 25 apprentices because investing in the next generation isn’t just good for our business - it’s essential for the future of the heating sector.”
Custom Heat, 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.
