Domestic Retrofitting for an Energy Efficient Future

Scientific evidence shows that global temperatures are increasing, the environment is constantly changing, and that human greenhouse gas emissions are largely to blame. According to the Local Authority Domestic Retrofit Handbook (2021) "Domestic properties account for 30% of energy use and around 19% of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. A significant contribution by any stretch of the imagination.

Under the Climate Change Act 2008, the UK needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80% of 1990 levels by 2050. As a nation, we are equally challenged to reduce carbon emissions and protect our environment, but to achieve the zero-carbon economy we must have a strategy in place to eradicate these harmful emissions, arising from the government’s pledge in March 2021 to invest £3bn into energy efficiency upgrades through domestic retrofitting (The Retrofit Academy, 2021)

So, what is Domestic Retrofitting?

Simply put, domestic retrofit is the process of making improvement or modifications to an existing home so that energy consumption and carbon emissions are reduced, whilst protecting homeowners against the rising cost of energy bills.

Possible retrofit renovations include, but are not limited to insulation, ventilation, airtightness, heating and cooling systems, renewable technologies, water heating systems, efficient lighting, energy monitoring systems, and using locally generated power that uses zero-carbon technologies.

Our New Domestic Retrofit Programme

We, as a company, are aware of how important retrofitting is to the future of the country and the people in it. We are launching a new domestic retrofit programme on the 10th of October at our Rotherham Skills Academy, which will allow the learner to understand the principles of domestic retrofitting.

Working alongside the South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority in training and reskilling unemployed and low-income citizens in domestic retrofit and green construction is a large step in moving towards a greener and low carbon region.

The two week fully funded course, which comprises of four qualifications specific to developing learners in the green agenda within construction, will include:

Highfield Level 1 Certificate in an Introduction to Construction

Focusing specifically on the principles of Health & Safety relevant to the Construction Industry and what working in the Construction Industry entails to promote individuals in their ambitions within the sector. It also aims to develop the ability and skills when working as a group or team to enhance communication skills when planning, handling Resources, task management with the principles of working together to achieve a common goal, essential to the construction industry to complete projects on time and to the standards expected. 

NOCN Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit

This qualification supports the National Retrofit Strategy which is a 20-year long term strategy that has been created to help achieve the Government's ambitious target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Understanding this L2 qualification will develop the learner and potential employer in understanding the main principles of effective retrofitting. The course provides support in the principles such as the focus on retrofitting homes that not only cuts carbon emissions, it also makes it cheaper to heat our homes and overcomes issues around poor ventilation and damp. This helps lift people out of fuel poverty and reduces health problems associated with cold homes.

NCFE L2 Understanding Climate Change and Environmental Awareness

This qualification covers many aspects of environmental awareness including climate change, sustainability, the duties within construction, resource efficiency and waste management, all of which as essential to promoting an industry renowned for its environmental impact.

Pearson Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment

This qualification gives learners the opportunity to develop introductory knowledge related to health and safety in the construction industry combined with specific Health and Safety as part of the introduction qualification. Learners develop introductory skills in health and safety in the construction industry and more about the health and safety issues related to different occupations within the sector through the achievement of a nationally recognised Level 1 qualification required for the acquisition of the CITB Green CSCS card.

Retrofitting, the Future

Our new Domestic Retrofit course, a nationally recognised qualification, is an entry point to retrofit, providing learners with the key foundations for delivering successful retrofit programmes, and a stepping-stone to securing employment in this rapidly growing market.

If you'd like to learn more information about our domestic retrofit courses, please contact tom.ward@skillspeoplegroup.com or call 07977 153 065.