10 March 2025
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Toni Oakley-Tulk, Technical Trainer at Viessmann, told Juliet Loiselle, Editor, how with hard work and determination, she became a Technical Trainer, and her thoughts on education as being pivotal for, amongst other things, tackling some of the challenges facing the industry and encouraging women to join.
In 2002, I joined MG Rover in Longbridge, Birmingham, as an Advanced Modern Apprentice in Manufacturing Engineering. I worked in various engineering departments, gaining experience across the car industry, while studying for an HNC in engineering. Unfortunately, MG Rover collapsed. I worked for them for three years; however, due to the collapse, I completed my apprenticeship at a different manufacturing company. Due to job instability in the car industry, in 2006, I transitioned to the domestic heating industry in the same way as many others — as an apprentice with a large company. Once qualified, I spent eight years working for several companies as a Technical Service and Repair Engineer on all types of gas appliances. I was then seconded to the training team at HomeServe, this started my journey into teaching within the plumbing and heating industry. As I was conducting a programme of upskilling for Home Serve’s qualified engineers, renewing existing qualifications, and assisting with the management of the plumbing and gas apprentices: I realised that I really enjoyed training and wanted to pursue this. Wanting to explore a career in education, I continued my journey at a local college, starting just before the country went into its first lockdown in 2020. During this time, I gained my Level Five teaching qualification, helping me to understand how people learn and the best ways to deliver training to diverse groups.
I started work as a Technical Trainer within the Academy at Viessmann in August 2023, initially training installers in the installation of domestic gas boilers. When an opportunity presented itself to learn about heat pumps, this sparked my interest in the renewables sector and made me want to help installers on their journey from fossil fuels to low-carbon heating systems filling the skills gap that currently exists within the industry. To help achieve this I completed my Level 3 Air Source Heat Pump Installer qualification with Shrewsbury Colleges Group; to gain practical experience, I have installed several heat pumps in the Academy, which has since gained BPEC accreditation for a variety of industry courses.
I now teach the BPEC Level 3 Air Source Heat Pump course to installers; gaining this qualification meets one of the requirements to use an MCS umbrella scheme such as ViAccess or forms part of the pathway to gain their own MCS registration.
What does your current role involve?
I currently design and deliver a range of products and accredited courses to professionals within the heating industry. I am a qualified teacher and an engineer, so education is important. I strive to deliver high-quality training to everyone attending Academy courses, whether it be product training for the Vitocal 150-A, a BPEC accredited Heat Pump course, or a bespoke training session for customers or members of staff.
What do you see as the challenges facing the industry?
I think the biggest challenge facing the industry is facilitating change; people in general resist change and the transition to heat pumps is a big one for installers and end users alike. I believe one of the best ways to tackle this is through education. Educating installers and end users on the changes to the way homes are heated and why it has so many benefits is the best way to help navigate the energy transition. Another factor is the price of electricity, currently standing at around three times that of gas, it is a significant barrier to the transition. Energy tariffs such as OVO’s Heat Pump Plus work with the Viessmann Vitocal 150-A and are helping with this issue, however, until an overall price drop happens the transition is likely to be slow.
Did you have any mentor’s or anyone in particular who inspired you?
My father was my initial inspiration for a career in engineering, the heating industry happened by chance and teaching has become my vocation. I have met so many inspiring people throughout my career who have supported me and helped me progress to where I am now, however, nothing happens without hard work and determination.
What would you say to other women who are considering coming into the heat pump industry?
Get educated; go on the courses, get the qualifications, do all the things you need to get the knowledge and skills to be able to succeed. Design the best installations and win those jobs because you can explain the benefits of a good installation to the customer and enable them to understand the most effective way to heat their home. Be the expert!
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love spending time with family and friends, especially going camping with my husband Chris, son Leo, and daughter Alice in the warmer months. Cars are a passion of mine; I like to go to the drag racing at Santa Pod and I will take any opportunity to drive different vehicles. I would love to go to the Goodwood Festival of Speed or Revival this year. I own a classic Mini that I am in the process of restoring, when finished, I will be taking it to the mini shows and fairs around the country.
