Industry professionals who have taken plumber training courses could find that their expert skills are increasingly in demand after energy provider npower urged the British public to apply for the government's boiler scrappage scheme.

The initiative will provide 125,000 people who have old, energy-inefficient boilers with £400 to go towards the cost of a new, eco-friendly appliance - a fee that has been matched by energy firms such as npower.

As a result households could receive as much as £800 to help their purchase.

However, the firm has recommended Britons to apply for the scheme as quickly as possible.

Kevin Miles, chief executive officer of npower retail, commented: "Our advice is don't leave it too late, get it before it's gone."

"The important thing is to act fast or you could be disappointed," he added.

Workers with approved plumbing qualifications could find that they are increasingly called upon to install such devices if the public takes the energy firm's advice.

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