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. (9-15th February 2026)
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 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.”
National Apprenticeship Week runs from 9 – 15 February 2026, with this year’s theme focusing on ‘Skills for Life’.
Image: Custom Heat Apprentices Caleb Hill, Bethany Jenkins, Isaac Cerec, Cameron Lea, Liam Hazelwood (Custom Heat)
