To be a forum of the NHDG for the discussion of key developments in green skills and to help to formulate the NHDG’s response to emerging policy changes and generate strong ideas to improve the sector’s workforce for the future.
Green Skills Working Group
Green Skills Working Group
Purpose
Aim
To represent the views of the NHDG on UK green skills in the home decarbonisation and retrofit sector and work with the Government to increase support for the retrofit supply chain to ensure the sector is fit for the future.
Chairperson: Joe Kelly, Baxter Kelly
The policy working group is a platform to
transform discussion into action
With support from DESNZ, the NHDG and its members are working collaboratively to realise the Government’s decarbonisation targets and improve the quality of housing across the UK as we move towards Net Zero. The goal of the WG is to identify the barriers delaying us progressing decarbonisation targets in housing and using our experience and knowledge to generate innovative approaches to overcome them.
Pillar 1
Attracting new people and retaining the existing work force
By providing clear pathways for entry, career progression and localised access to training and accreditation across the country.
Pillar 2
Securing the future of green skills for net zero delivery
By lobbying for long term commitment to green skills development the NHDG want to secure the supply chain for Net Zero delivery.
Pillar 3
Ensure a comprehensive approach to skills development
By improving access to information on scheme requirements, working to simplify scheme requirements and ensuring training is available for new entrants and the existing workforce.
Pillar 1: Attracting new people and retaining the existing work force
Support for training and accreditation including school leavers
The workforce needs to expand to meet the net zero challenge. This includes retaining the existing workforce and attracting new entrants through clear pathways for school leavers and attractive career progression opportunities. The NHDG welcome the Labour government’s commitment to Excellency Colleges and changes to the apprenticeship levy, both of which will support new entrants into the the retrofit workforce.
Building a best practice proposal for growth in the workforce
Not only does the retrofit workforce need to increase but it needs to be highly skilled to deliver the housing of the future. The NHDG are working to invest in new entrants and the existing workforce to ensure training is available and up-to-date. Through our Retrofit Workforce Roadmap produced with the Retrofit Academy we outline key policy interventions to support the timeline for net zero delivery.
Quantifiable metrics on skills gaps across different regions
The skills needed to ensure housing is fit for the future are wide ranging. They include retrofit professionals specialising in External Wall Insulation (EWI) or those specialising in low carbon heating. To meet the net zero challenge, the industry must quantify how many skilled professionals exist now and how many will be needed in future. Metrics such as the number of training providers must be tracked to ensure growth is supported across the UK.
Pillar 2: Securing the future of green skills for net zero delivery
Securing long-term funding for energy efficiency schemes and green skills training
Providing long term funding for retrofit programmes will incentivise engagement from industry as they are guaranteed steady work. This enables them to invest in their products and services and crucially their employee training. Additional support through dedicated government funding for green skills training will boost access such as through the recent Heat Training Grant which offers £500 towards heat pump training.
Area-based and community level approaches to delivery
As well as national strategies, local communities need to be at the centre of delivery to realise net zero. Area-based approaches can be developed to address specific problems with tailored solutions. This must be led by strong collaboration between local authorities (LAs), housing providers and the private sector to deliver solutions which address the specific problems experienced in a locality.
Strong partnerships with local actors
To support the area-based approach communities need to develop strong partnerships across the public and private sector. This will enable LAs and housing providers to use their knowledge of the local population and housing stock to boost engagement with retrofit – whether this is through government schemes or private green finance. Local installers are ready to do the work but local partnerships will enable it to take place efficiently and effectively.
Pillar 3: Ensure a comprehensive approach to skills development
Consistent National Occupational Standards (NOS)
There are occupational standards for each role within the retrofit sector however, training providers do not apply them consistently and there is consensus within the industry that they do not reflect the competencies needed in the industry. This results in inconsistent quality of retrofit work across which has damaged the reputation of the industry. Changes to and consistent enforcement of NOS would ensure high quality work and skilled installers.
Re-structure the CITB levy
The CITB levy requires installers to reinvest back into the industry. The funding is used to promote careers in the sector, support access to training, develop occupational standards and identify skills gaps. However, there is consensus in the industry that the way the funding is used is not transparent. The NHDG support the effective use of funds through the CITB as it offers an opportunity to make a positive difference in the sector but greater transparency is needed to understand what changes are needed.
New avenues to encourage private sector investment
The private sector has the potential to offer enormous benefits to the retrofit sector. Whilst public funding is needed to deliver grant schemes, private sector finance can support other largescale projects including green skills training. The NHDG supports industry engagement with local projects to develop local green skills and national projects with organisations such as iFATE who provide apprenticeships and technical education across the UK.
Useful definitions
Green skills is an umbrella term for the skilled jobs the UK will need to reach net zero. In the context of the retrofit sector it includes retrofit professionals such as those who specialise in External Wall Insulation (EWI) or it can refer to those specialising in low carbon heating technologies such as heat pump installation.
Supply chain in the retrofit sector refers to the chain of roles from manufacturing products or services to the end consumer who is getting something installed into their home. This supply chain needs to be supported to invest in high quality products and services and highly trained personnel in both blue- and white-collar jobs to provide home improvements that are fit for the future.
Area-based approach refers to a way of disseminating policy and organising change. It places the focus and responsibility on local strategies for improvements to housing rather than only following a national strategy. It is often led by local authorities as they have intimate knowledge of their local area and are trusted by residents. However, for effective progress there needs to be collaboration between housing providers and installers in order to address systemic problems with housing quality.
National Occupational Standards (NOS) are available for each occupation within the retrofit sector. They define the knowledge, skills and behaviour needed to be competent within a given occupation. The NOS also outline the training courses and qualifications need to meet the required competency level. It is important for NOS to remain up-to-date particularly given the changes in technology in response to the challenge of reaching net zero. Occupational standards are also developed by CITB and for the apprenticeships developed by IfATE these reflect the standard required for new entrants and upskilling within the sector. It is vital that these organisations work together to ensure the retrofit sector remains fit for the future.
How to join
Membership of the NHDG is considered if the prospective member is a Tier 1 contractor or energy supplier that contracts and directly delivers £20+ million turnover per year of whole-house decarbonisation retrofit at scale, supported by government-funded schemes such as Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) 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 £20 million)
Please be aware that the eligibility criteria may be changed at any time by the group.
