The new project between BE-ST and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) builds on research carried out by both earlier this year. 

This former research report, termed Pathways to Productivity, considered how to support future skills planning in the construction sector of Scotland. 

Published in March 2026, Pathways to Productivity, considered how the construction sector can boost productivity by attracting, recruiting, developing, and retaining  young skilled workers. 

The report lays out how Scotland can boost the flow of newcomers into the construction and built environment workforce. 

An example of its key findings was that there is strong employer demand for looking into alternative entry pathways into several occupations, especially occupations aiding the transition to low carbon heating and cooling. 

The project will lay out an independent evidence base to inform future talks involving industry, government and skills partners. 

Instead of recommending a preferred model, it will examine a variety of options, discussing their possible benefits, weaknesses and indications for future decision-making.

The research will:

• Look into current entry routes into domestic heat decarbonisation roles and identify factors that could weaken workforce growth;
• Review global strategies in comparable markets;
• Explore how different pathways could drive workforce supply
• Find the skills, knowledge and assurance requirements needed to maintain high levels of competence, safety and consumer confidence.

Douglas Morrison, deputy chief executive officer at BE-ST, said: “Pathways to Productivity identified a clear appetite from many employers to explore different ways of bringing people into the workforce, particularly in areas where demand is expected to grow rapidly.

“This next phase of the research will build on what was found and provide an independent evidence base to help industry, government and skills partners understand what options could be available, what the trade-offs are, and what would be needed to ensure competence remains central to any future approach so that Scotland is making informed decisions about how we develop the workforce needed for the transition to low carbon heating.”

Elaine Ellis, skills planning manager construction and Net Zero at Skills Development Scotland, said: “The success of heat decarbonisation will depend heavily on the availability of a skilled and competent workforce. 

“It is clear from the Pathways to Productivity research that only relying on “what we have always done” will not build the workforce needed for heat decarbonisation both in terms of scale or skills. 

Ellis added: “This research will explore the art of the possible and look at what can be done to improve pathways into heat decarbonisation to allow the sector to train for the high level of skills needed, at the volume and pace needed.”