The National Retrofit Hub has launched a new report, which has called for UK government action to tackle the skills shortage in the home retrofit industry.
The report, titled “Policy Recommendations for a National Retrofit Workforce Strategy”, makes the case for a coordinated national effort to build the retrofit workforce. Progress on decarbonising homes will stall without it, it cited, putting the UK’s climate goals at risk and missing the wider benefits of retrofit.
At the centre of the paper is a 10-year National Retrofit Workforce Strategy. The report stated that this strategy would bring together government, industry, training providers and local leaders to align policy, investment and delivery. The strategy would also create thousands of green jobs across the UK, it noted.
According to the National Retrofit Hub, workforce competence would be at the heart of this strategy, ensuring retrofit is delivered to a high standard, with no unintended consequences for residents.
The new paper builds on a range of industry calls and presents 10 evidence-based priorities for action, the organisation added.
The report was launched on 9 June at an event co-hosted by the National Retrofit Hub and London South Bank University (LSBU). Sponsored by LSBU, the event brought together leaders from government, local authorities, academia, and industry.
