To be a forum for the discussion of the sector’s skills challenges, 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 skills development in the home decarbonisation 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 Green Skills 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 working group is to identify the barriers preventing us from achieving our home decarbonisation targets, and to use our knowledge and experience to develop innovative approaches to overcome them.
Pillar 1
Attracting new people and retaining the existing workforce
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 a long term commitment to green skills development, the NHDG aim to build the supply chain needed for net zero delivery.
Pillar 3
Ensure a comprehensive approach to skills development
By improving access to information on skills 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 workforce
Support for training and accreditation for new entrants
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 new government’s commitment to Excellency Colleges and changes to the apprenticeship levy, both of which will support new entrants into the retrofit workforce.
Setting out a best practice approach 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. NHDG members are working to invest in new entrants and the existing workforce to ensure training is available and up-to-date. Our Retrofit Workforce Roadmap, produced with The Retrofit Academy, outlines key policy interventions to support net zero delivery.
Quantifiable metrics on skills gaps across different regions
Many skills and roles are needed to ensure housing is fit for the future. These range from External Wall Insulation (EWI) installers to low carbon heating installers. 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 in local areas 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 guarantees a long term pipeline of work for industry. This enables businesses 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 Heat Training Grant which offers £500 towards heat pump training.
Area-based and community level approaches to delivery
Local communities need to be at the centre of delivery to realise net zero. Area-based approaches can address specific problems with tailored local solutions. This must be led by strong collaboration between local authorities (LAs), housing providers and the private sector to deliver solutions which address the unique issues and characteristics of local areas.
Strong partnerships with local actors
Strong partnerships must be developed across the public and private sector to facilitate an area-based approach, . This will enable LAs and housing providers to use their knowledge of local residents and housing stock to boost engagement with retrofit – whether this is through government schemes or private 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 many training courses are not aligned with them. In addition, there is consensus within the industry that current occupational standards do not fully reflect the competencies needed to work in the sector. This results in inconsistent quality of retrofit work which damages the reputation of the industry. Improvements to the NOS and better alignment with training provision would ensure high quality work and skilled installers.
Re-structure the CITB levy
The CITB levy requires employers in the construction sector 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, at the moment, levy funding is not being used effectively to support retrofit training. The NHDG and our members would like to see reforms to the CITB levy to ensure that funding is directed towards areas where there is an opportunity to make a positive difference.
New avenues to encourage private sector investment
Private sector investment in training provision has the potential to offer enormous benefits to the retrofit sector. Whilst public funding is needed to deliver grant schemes, private sector finance is important to support green skills training. The NHDG supports industry engagement with local providers to meet local green skills needs, as well as national skills bodies such as IfATE who provide apprenticeships and technical education across the UK.
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 £20+ 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 £20 million)
Please be aware that the eligibility criteria may be changed at any time by the group.
