To ask the Scottish Government how it is engaging with the growing heat pump industry, in light of the potential role that heat pumps can play in helping to achieve net zero. (S6O-03991)

As well as the substantial funding that we provide for individuals and social landlords to install heat pumps, which is helping to grow supply chains, we are supporting business to develop the skills and accreditation that are needed in order to grow our qualified installer base.

Our green heat installer engagement programme, which is delivered by the Energy Saving Trust, provides assistance and support to help installers to participate fully and effectively in the clean heat supply chain. The enterprise agencies also work closely with manufacturers and installers to support their growth in Scotland.

Aira, a Swedish heat pump specialist, recently opened a hub in Stirling and is set to become a big employer in my constituency. What steps is the Scottish Government taking to ensure that opportunities are available for engineers to reskill in order to work in that growing industry?

I welcome the opening of Aira’s Scottish hub. Supporting Scotland’s current and future workforce to develop the skills that are needed for the net zero transition is a priority for this Government. Many of Scotland’s colleges and independent training providers offer heat pump training. We have invested in a mobile training centre for heat pump installation to ensure that training is equally available across all geographic areas.

As well as the green heat installer engagement programme that I mentioned, we are funding the clean heat strategic workforce development fund, which is delivered by Scottish Enterprise.

The Acting Minister for Climate Action must be living on a different planet, because Aira—that very company in Stirling—has condemned the Scottish Government’s programme. Aira says that it has to fill in a 38-page application form, that it takes 50 days to get an answer, and that it is two months before the company gets its money. Aira says that the Government’s funding scheme is the biggest blockage to making such progress happen.

The Government is committed to working with that company and other companies. On skills, the Scottish Government is continuing to work in partnership with that company and other companies to ensure that there are opportunities for individuals to reskill or to find the skills that they need. We are working closely with colleges and apprentices to achieve that. We are very happy to work with companies that have any suggestions as to how the process may be changed in the future.