Leading retrofit workforce development partner, The Retrofit Academy, is set to make funded retrofit training available to over 900 individuals after being awarded nearly £1m by the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero (DfESNZ).
The funding, which has been made available through phase two of the DfESNZ Home Decarbonisation Skills Training competition will enable The Retrofit Academy to build on the 5,500 learners it has already enrolled onto its leading range of retrofit training courses.
As a result of the new wave of funding, the leading provider of retrofit knowledge and skills will continue to work with local authorities, social housing providers and their appointed contractors to build the workforce needed to deliver high-quality, large-scale retrofit programmes. By building on the 900 people it successfully enrolled during the first phase of the Government initiative, yet more people across the England will be able to become qualified Retrofit Coordinators and Assessors. As a result, they will be able to ensure all projects are compliant with PAS2035.
The availability of hundreds of funded training places will be a major boost to social housing providers and local authorities looking to upgrade their housing stock after being awarded funding from the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) and Home Upgrade Grant (HUG). Employers partnering with The Retrofit Academy will tackle the practical retrofit skills gap by developing the skilled workforce they need to deliver these major decarbonisation projects.
Funded places will be available across six of The Retrofit Academy’s industry leading training courses, ranging from levels two to five of its specialist professional development framework. In addition to qualifications to become Retrofit Assessors and Retrofit Coordinators, places will also be available on the organisation’s recently launched ABBE Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency Measures for Older and Traditional Buildings and Level 2 course in External Wall Insulation and Finishes.
Pioneering retrofit training since 2016 through its expert-developed, award-winning courses, The Retrofit Academy is the nation’s trusted provider of retrofit knowledge and skills. Learners who choose its courses access industry-leading training materials and resources, experienced retrofit professionals as tutors and skills coaches, best-in-class learner support and post training support though CPD, tools and technical support.
David Pierpoint, CEO of The Retrofit Academy said: “The new wave of government funding is a huge boost to our prospect of decarbonising the nation’s homes. This commitment puts us in prime position to upskill a new generation of talented professionals capable of delivering high quality retrofit at scale through first-rate training.
“Local authorities and social housing providers will play a vital role in leading the retrofit skills revolution. We’re fully committed to empowering those eager to develop their workforce by giving them a clear pathway to retrofit success.”
To apply for a funded place on a Retrofit Academy training course, click here.
