Rugby MP praises Custom Heat & Cool’s apprentice programme

Rugby’s MP, John Slinger, has praised our apprenticeships in Rugby after visiting our offices earlier this month. He met our apprentices, heard how we train them, and called our programme “a gold standard for how an apprentice programme should be run.”

Here’s what happened, and why it matters for your home.

Who did John Slinger meet?

John spent the morning with our Managing Director Lincoln Smith, Executive Director Terri-Anne Smith and Operations Director Chris Knowles.

They talked about the pressures facing local businesses and families. They also discussed some of the biggest challenges in our industry. College staff shortages are slowing apprentices down, and too many schools still see the trades as second best to university.

Getting more women into heating was on the agenda too. We’ve already seen female apprentices qualify with us, including Beth Jenkins, who was named HPM Apprentice of the Year in 2025.

Meet our apprentices

John met three of our apprentices, each at a different stage of their training.

Caleb Hill, 22, from Rugby, is in his final year. He moved into heating after starting out in vehicle maintenance.

Kyle Kerfoot-Bale, 19, also from Rugby, is halfway through. He first came to us for work experience at 15, and we offered him an apprenticeship afterwards. He told John how hard it can be to go straight from school into work.

Matthew Checkly has just started his journey with us.

How our apprenticeships work

Every apprentice starts with one mentor. In their first year, they work alongside an experienced engineer and learn on real jobs. As they progress, they move around the business to build a wider range of skills.

Alongside this, they train with a private training provider in Lutterworth. The course takes around 18 months and runs all year round.

John was clearly impressed. He said:

“It was a real pleasure to meet Caleb, Kyle and Matthew. They were a credit to the business, and it was clear how much care goes into training, mentoring and looking after them. It’s a gold standard for how an apprentice programme should be run.”

Why small firms struggle to take on apprentices

Most heating and plumbing businesses are sole traders. For a one or two person firm, the cost of training an apprentice is often too high.

Meanwhile, experienced engineers are retiring much faster than new ones are joining. Over time, that means fewer skilled people to call when your boiler breaks down.

Lincoln’s idea for shared apprentices

Lincoln shared a new idea with John. Larger firms or colleges would employ apprentices and carry the cost and risk of training them. Smaller firms could then hire those apprentices in when they need them.

Lincoln said:

“The cost is too high for a one or two person firm, and there’s a lot of regulation, for good reason. A business our size can carry that. If firms like ours, or the colleges, took on the apprentices and the risk, smaller businesses could hire them in. More young people would come into the trade and more firms would benefit.

“John really listened, and it’s great that he wants to take this further with us.”

John has agreed to look at the idea properly, and the two will meet again to discuss it. He added:

“Lincoln’s idea for sharing apprentices with smaller firms is an interesting one, and I want to look at it properly. Getting more young people into skilled trades matters for Rugby, and I look forward to continuing the conversation.”

What this means for you

Training our own engineers means the people who visit your home have learned our way of working from day one. It also means we keep building a strong local team, so help is never far away when you need it.

Since 1980, we’ve trained around 25 apprentices, and many of them now look after our customers’ homes every day.

Frequently asked questions

Does Custom Heat & Cool offer apprenticeships in Rugby?
Yes. We train apprentices from our Rugby offices. Each one is paired with an experienced engineer as their mentor.

How long does a heating apprenticeship take with Custom Heat & Cool?
Our apprentices train with a private provider on a course of around 18 months that runs all year round.

Will an apprentice work on my home?
Apprentices work alongside a qualified engineer, who takes responsibility for the job.

Heating and cooling since 1980

Custom Heat & Cool is a family-run business founded in Rugby in 1980. Today, around 70 of us look after homes across the Midlands and the South West.

Need a service, repair or quote? Book online or call us on 0330 383 0000.