The Guild of Master Heat Engineers

The Guild isn't a new certification or accreditation scheme, but a peer-assessed network of the very best heating engineers. Its purpose is to solve a fundamental problem: the difficulty for consumers and the wider industry to identify true expertise. The concept is based on how the original guilds of the Middle Ages operated, where master craftspeople were recognised by their peers for their skill and quality of work.

An engineer becomes part of the Guild by either having their work featured in one of our detailed case studies or being listed in the directory. This model leverages the simple truth that good engineers know other good engineers, and it provides a transparent, trustworthy way for that expertise to be recognised by everyone.

The history of guilds

The Guild of Master Heat Engineers is based on the structure of the original guilds from the Middle Ages.

In those times, a master would take on an apprentice. After seven years, the apprentice became a journeyman, a term that literally meant they would travel around Europe practicing their trade, whether it was weaving, candle-making, or stonemasonry. To become a master, a journeyman had to produce a masterpiece. This piece of work was peer-assessed by other masters, and if it was deemed competent, the journeyman was recognised as a master themselves.

Bringing back the Guilds

Peer assessment is still going on organically. I get asked all the time who's a good engineer for their own home. I've got a few heuristics I use to understand who is good and other good engineers just naturally know who other good engineers are. We kind of do that, and that's exactly how this guild will be formed.

One of the big pain points for consumers is that they just don't know who is good. The heating industry trains people to become qualified, but not necessarily to be competent. They're two distinct things. Anyone can get a qualification and all the associated accreditations; it does not mean you're good at your job though.

This puts the poor customer in a horrible situation as they just don't know who is good. They haven't got a clue. The Guild of Master Heat Engineers will help solve that.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Guild

Q: What is the Guild of Master Heat Engineers?

A: The Guild is a peer-assessed network for top-tier heating engineers. It's modelled on the traditional guilds of the Middle Ages, which recognised excellence through peer validation rather than standardised tests. Its purpose is to address a major industry problem: the difficulty for consumers and others to identify truly skilled and knowledgeable engineers.

Q: How has the conversation around the heating industry changed, and why is the Guild needed?

A: For many years, the only people discussing the heating industry were those directly working within it. Today, the conversation is amplified and often drowned out by a cacophony of voices from the third sector and beyond. This includes charities, foundations, think tanks, community interest companies, not-for-profits, and academic institutions. It's understandable why there's now so much interest, given the critical role of heating in global sustainability and energy policy.

However, it's evident that current assessment methods, accreditation, and certification aren't working, a fact supported by widespread consumer complaints about poor installations despite the installers having all the right credentials. This issue is also evidenced by the frequent negative news stories that tarnish the reputation of good engineers, as well as the unanimous voice from the industry, third sector, and government on a significant "skills gap." This amplified noise has drowned out the voices of good engineers, making it harder for the public to find expertise they can trust. The Guild cuts through this noise by providing a clear, reputable resource for finding and showcasing genuinely good engineers.

Q: How does the Guild assessment method differ from standard certifications?

A: The Guild uses a peer-assessment model grounded in the philosophy of Michael Polanyi, who explored tacit knowledge—the unwritten, intuitive expertise that's difficult to articulate but essential to a master's skill. An engineer's competence isn't judged by a checklist but by the nuanced, intuitive understanding of other masters in the field. This method recognises that a good engineer's ability comes from their commitment to continuous learning and understanding best practices, regardless of how long they've been in the industry.

The Guild's peers use heuristics—mental shortcuts to make quick, accurate judgments. This concept was originally researched by psychologists like Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky in the context of decision-making, and the Guild applies this idea to professional expertise, where a peer "just knows" what good work looks like through shared experience. This shared experience is built and discussed through various communication channels, including phone calls, WhatsApp groups, social media platforms, events, and in-person meetings.

Q: How does an engineer get featured by the Guild?

A: Good engineers are organically assessed by their peers through a wide variety of communication methods and discussions. As this process unfolds, the reputation of those considered to be good at their work and who value lifelong learning is recognised by the community. Once this is established, their competence can be disseminated to BetaTeach to be listed in the network or to have a case study featured. This organic, natural, peer-to-peer validation is a core part of the Guild. The newsletter and its associated website will then feature case studies over time, building an extensive resource of reputable engineers, which will also include a listing of engineers from different regions to help consumers find a good engineer in their area.

Q: Who are the Guild's Patrons?

A: The Guild's Patrons are organisations and companies that understand the significant value in helping to disseminate best practices. They see the Guild as an essential cause, providing them with an opportunity to distinguish themselves as leaders within the heating discourse. By supporting the Guild, they help to promote sustainable development in the most effective and efficient manner, which is by helping to disseminate what good work looks like and who the good engineers are. This partnership highlights their commitment to the entire industry's advancement.

Q: What is the value of the Guild?

A: The Guild provides significant value to both consumers and engineers, as well as other key stakeholders.

For consumers, it offers a trustworthy way to find and hire a genuinely competent heating professional, cutting through the noise of conflicting opinions and marketing.

For engineers, it creates a platform for two key groups:

For those featured and listed in the Guild's resource, it offers a platform to showcase their expertise and build a reputation for integrity and skill.

For gas and oil engineers interested in learning about different technologies, the Guild provides a valuable resource to help them discover and engage with other skilled engineers who are already doing great work in the industry. This is designed to activate autonomous learning and support them on their own professional journey.

For Local Authorities, Social Housing providers, Government, and the Third Sector, the Guild provides a credible  resource for finding and engaging with reputable engineers who can be relied upon to deliver quality, sustainable work.