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Building Services Engineering

Powering futures through skills 

Supporting skills development across the sector through practical training in electrical, plumbing and heating, green technologies and more 

As the Building Services Engineering (BSE) sector evolves to meet the demands of a more sustainable future, now is the time to invest in the next generation of skilled professionals. Our employer and industry-recognised qualifications and training programmes are designed to meet the needs of a rapidly changing built environment, supporting learners to kick-start their careers and empowering experienced professionals to upskill and stay current with industry standards.

We work across core BSE sub-sectors, including electrical installation, plumbing, heating and ventilation, gas engineering, and refrigeration and air-conditioning, while also expanding into green technology skills such as solar PV installation, energy-efficient electrical storage systems (EESS), EV charging point installation and heat pump systems.

With continuous professional development (CPD) and up-to-date training aligned with the latest regulations and technologies, your teams can stay compliant, competitive, and confident in delivering high-quality services. 

View our qualifications and apprenticeships


Explore electrical training career routes

demand for electricians set to soar section imageThe UK Trade Skills Index 2023 announced that the demand for electricians is set to soar as trade sector vacancies hit record highs.

To support the growing demand for skilled electricians, City & Guilds has mapped its electrical provision to electrical training career routes, helping learners of any age and at any stage of their training journey to become qualified electricians.

Learn more about electrical training career routes


The future of the skills landscape is changing

The qualification landscape is changing rapidly as the government sets out net zero targets and reforms to post-16 qualifications in England to support the move into skilled jobs. Providers, employers and learners who can adapt to these changes will be well-positioned to succeed.

Unlock government-backed funding

Many of our qualifications are eligible for funding under recent government initiatives, including:

  • £600 million in new construction skills funding 
  • The £8 million Warm Homes Skills Programme (available until July 2026), offering subsidised training for up to 9,000 installers and retrofit professionals
  • The Heat Training Grant, supporting training for heat networks and low-carbon heating technologies 

These funding streams offer a valuable opportunity to upskill teams at reduced cost, while contributing to a greener, smarter built environment 

Ready to get started?

Speak to our Building Services Engineering specialists to:

  • Access qualifications eligible for government funding
  • Align your training offer with national and regional priorities
  • Future-proof your workforce 

Get in touch

bse sustainability thumbnailEmployers looking to recruit skilled professionals to support a net-zero economy by 2050 are facing substantial challenges. As demand rises for clean energy solutions, from solar PV systems and small-scale energy storage systems to air source heat pumps and EV charging infrastructure, our Green Skills and Sustainability qualifications are playing a vital role in closing the skills gap.

Whether you're looking to upskill in energy-efficient technologies or retrofit existing buildings, explore the full range of opportunities on our Green Skills and Sustainability page.

Discover our green and sustainability qualifications

qualification reforms to post 16 qualifications section imageThe post-16 qualification landscape is changing in England. The Department for Education (DfE) changes aim to more effectively support people to directly move onto high-skilled jobs, or through progression into good quality higher education courses. To learn more about these changes and the support available visit our Qualification reform in England page.

You'll find key resources on:
  • How these changes may affect curriculum planning
  • Types of qualifications to be funded

Explore the qualifications reforms

advance technical digital credentialDigital credentials offer an opportunity to share new skills and accomplishments online with peers, potential employers, and customers. Data-rich and secure digital credentials are shaping the way we showcase skills on social media platforms like LinkedIn and business websites. Collect, share, and showcase training and skills development with digital credentials.

Find out more

Our latest case study...

We are always keen to share the positive impact our customers make to drive skills development. Take a look at our latest case study from BuildSkill.

BuildSkill, making a positive impact through skills development

Buildskill imageDiscover how BuildSkill, a leading training provider, is addressing the evolving landscape of the construction industry with City & Guilds Level 2 Retrofit qualifications. As we dive into this case study, we learn how BuildSkill uses years of bricklaying training experience to prepare learners for a successful career in the construction industry.

Buildskill logoFind out more

Sector collaborations

We are committed to developing industry-relevant qualifications and collaborate with leading professional bodies, institutions, and employers to ensure our qualifications equip today's engineers with the skills and expertise to succeed. They include the Joint Industry Body (JIB), the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA), The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP), NET, The Chartered Institute Of Plumbing And Heating Engineering (CIPHE), Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Industry Board (ACRIB), The Institute of Refrigeration (IOR), the Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET) and the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

Get in touch

If you’d like to find out more about our BSE qualifications and training solutions, please complete the form below to connect directly with our helpful teams.

Get in touch

 

Meet the City & Guilds customer support teams

Our dedicated customer support teams are on hand to guide providers, employers, and learners at every stage of training. Learn more about our teams and discover how we can support you to maximise your success.

Find out more


More from City & Guilds...

Explore our other brands and services for flexible training and skills development opportunities.

skills boot camp section image

Skills boot camps funding for electrical training

City & Guilds Training offers flexible skills courses of up to 16 weeks. If you are unemployed, self-employed or an employer looking to upskill your staff in electrical installation or green skills we have funding opportunities that can vastly reduce the cost of, and in some cases fully fund, training with us.

Find out more about what City & Guilds Training has to offer.

cg training logoFind out more

delivering exceptional apprenticeships thumbnail for bse

Get your first steps onto the career ladder

An apprenticeship offers both the employer and the learner the ideal way to align learning to the needs of the individual and the business. There are no age barriers for apprenticeships so if you are looking for a career change or starting out on your career for the first time, apprenticeships are a great choice!

Find out more about what Gen2 has to offer.

gen 2 logo miniFind out more

leadership management thumbnail for bse

Level up with Leadership and Management skills

As you progress in your career, having the skills, knowledge and behaviours to lead and manage teams and projects is paramount to organisational success. ILM offers leadership and management programmes ranging from levels 2 to 3, to develop the skills needed for team leaders, supervisors, junior managers, senior managers and leadership roles.

Find out more about what ILM has to offer.

ilm logo miniFind out more

Get in touch

If you’d like to find out more about our BSE qualifications and training solutions, please complete the form below to connect directly with our helpful teams.

Get in touch

bse sector guide cover

Powering futures through skills

A guide to our building services engineering qualifications and apprenticeships.

Download the guide

Construction and building funded course directory

The City & Guilds funded course directory features construction and building qualifications for both 16–19-year-olds and adult learners.

Download the directory

BSE sector news & insights

  • Green jobs are booming - but where are the skilled workers?

    Read more

  • How the right skills solutions can take electric vehicle adoption to the next level.

    Read more

  • Our research explores the readiness of the UK energy sector workforce to meet the Government's ambition to decarbonise the energy system by 2035

    Read more

  • City & Guilds research finds that nearly all working electricians believe there are significant risks associated with Electrical Vehicle (EV) charging work, yet only 28% have received specific training

    Read more
  • View more news

Support qualification development

Employers play a significant role by providing specialist advice to awarding organisations responsible for developing technical qualifications.

We need technical experts and senior decision-makers to join our Employer Industry Boards and participate in qualification development and validation activities.

Register your interest

Follow us

salim visram thumbnailSalim Visram | Industry Manager - BSE
LinkedIn: Salim Visram

robert mallender thumbnailRobert Mallender | Technical Advisor - BSE
LinkedIn: Rob Mallender

Stay up to date

To stay up to date with our qualifications and courses sign up to the Building Services Engineering email updates.

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