The Green Skills Working Group is focused on tackling the retrofit sector’s workforce challenges and ensuring the UK has the skills needed to deliver large-scale home decarbonisation. The group brings together industry experts, including our partner the Retrofit Academy, to help shape policy, close critical skills gaps and support the development of a retrofit-ready workforce. Through ongoing engagement with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the group works to embed retrofit into mainstream training and ensure the supply chain is equipped with the workforce and skills needed for the future.
Green Skills
Working Group
The Green Skills Working Group is a platform to transform discussion into action
Meet Stephen Tracey, Divisional Manager for Net Zero Carbon Retrofit at WPS and Chair of NHDG’s Green Skills Working Group. Steve leads the group’s mission to address critical skills gaps in the retrofit sector and embed green skills development into national retrofit policy.
“Promoting, developing, and maintaining green skills is key to sustainable large-scale retrofit delivery. As Chair of the Green Skills working group, I hope to play a part in developing strategies to assist this change in mindset. By linking up with other working groups across innovation and policy, we will continue the great progress delivered through the NHDG to date and beyond.”
Chairperson
Stephen Tracey, Wates
Pillar One
Support the ECO Supply Chain Transition
The closure of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme represents a significant shift for the retrofit sector, with many contractors’ facing uncertainty as they adapt to new funding models and delivery frameworks. This transition period presents challenges, particularly for those who have demonstrated a commitment to high standards and quality delivery under ECO.
By fostering collaboration with quality ECO contractors and installers, the NHDG aims to support them to navigate the transition to capital schemes, share best practice and support the delivery of high-quality retrofit at scale. This support is closely aligned with the sector’s overarching goal of achieving net zero, as retaining and upskilling quality installers is essential for the successful implementation of the Warm Homes Plan and the broader decarbonisation agenda.
Pillar Two
Address Critical Skills Gaps
The group recognises the urgent need for specialist training to equip the supply chain to deliver high-quality retrofit work across the UK. Through engagement with the membership, the working group has identified critical retrofit skills gaps for site managers and apprenticeships with retrofit training needed to upskill individuals to deliver PAS-compliant projects at scale.
By focusing on tailored training, the group aims to bridge existing workforce gaps and support the transition to large-scale delivery. Enhanced training programmes will ensure site managers and apprenticeship courses are prepared to meet evolving industry standards and drive best practice across the sector.
Pillar Three
Expand the Workforce and Attract New Talent
An ageing workforce and a shortage of new entrants represents two key challenges for the retrofit sector. This has been discussed through the working group as a way to deliver against the Retrofit Workforce Roadmap, developed through the NHDG in partnership with the Retrofit Academy, however it is also echoed by the wider sector. Addressing this issue is vital to ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of the retrofit workforce, as well as delivering the scale and quality of projects required to achieve broader net-zero targets.
Our members recognise the importance of demonstrating the exciting opportunities that a career in the retrofit and construction sector has to offer to new entrants. Our members are developing a proposal which will combine the group’s significant network and the role of social value in the locations in which we deliver to leverage our shared impact and deliver long-standing outcomes for local communities and strengthen the future of the retrofit supply chain.
Useful Definitions
Green skills is an umbrella term for the skills and job roles the UK will need to reach net zero. In the context of the retrofit sector, green skills can range from qualifications in External Wall Insulation (EWI) or heat pump installation, to the ‘soft’ skills needed by support and sales staff within retrofit businesses.
Supply chain in the retrofit sector refers to the chain of roles from manufacturing products or services to installing measures in homes. The end-to-end supply chain needs to be supported to invest in high quality products and services and highly trained personnel to support home improvements that are fit for the future.
Area-based approach refers to a way of implementing policy and organising change. It places the focus and responsibility on local rather than national strategies for improvements to housing. It is a bottom-up approach often led by local authorities as they have intimate knowledge of their local area. However, for effective delivery, there needs to be collaboration between housing providers and installers.
National Occupational Standards (NOS) define the knowledge, skills and behaviour needed to be competent within a given occupation. The NOS also outline the training courses and qualifications needed to meet the required competency level. Occupational standards for the construction industry are developed by CITB and IfATE (for apprenticeships). These reflect the standard required for new entrants and those already working within the sector.
How to join
Membership of the NHDG is open to Tier 1 contractors or energy suppliers that contract and directly deliver £15+ million turnover per year of whole-house retrofit at scale, supported by government-funded schemes such as the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF) and Home Upgrade Grant (HUG). Eligible turnover must come from work contracted directly with clients and not through third parties such as energy companies or other bodies.
Applicants must provide evidence to support that they meet the criteria.
Evidence includes:
- The most recent audited accounts for the past two trading years; and
- Evidence of large-scale retrofit works either delivered or secured (minimum of £15 million)
Please be aware that the eligibility criteria may be changed at any time by the group.
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