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Recruiting retrofit professionals to meet UK’s energy targets
1 October 2024 6 mins
The UK’s ambitious energy targets, which include achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, hinge on retrofitting existing buildings for energy efficiency. The retrofitting sector is rapidly growing, creating new job opportunities and demands for skilled professionals.
But what is retrofit, and why is it crucial to the UK’s green economy?
With the demand for retrofit professionals being higher than ever, the recruitment landscape is shifting rapidly. As businesses and homeowners alike prioritise sustainability and energy efficiency, the need for these skilled workers that can make these necessary upgrades, has never been more critical.
From Retrofit Assessors to Retrofit Coordinators and Installers, these professionals are essential in driving the country towards its goals. At Sellick Partnership, we are seeing a huge spike in retrofit jobs and specialise in connecting top talent with the growing opportunities in this sector.
What is retrofit?
Retrofit refers to the process of updating or modifying existing buildings, structures, or systems to improve their energy efficiency and environmental performance. Unlike new builds, retrofitting focuses on adapting current structures to meet modern standards of sustainability, often through insulation upgrades, renewable energy installations, and enhanced ventilation systems.
Retrofitting plays a vital role in reducing the carbon footprint of buildings, which account for nearly 40% of the UK’s energy consumption. With missions of homes and commercial buildings needing updates to meet energy standards, the demand for retrofit professionals has skyrocketed.
Retrofitting can include adding solar panels, installing heat pumps, improving insulation, or upgrading to energy-efficient windows. The goal is to reduce energy use and improve sustainability while keeping the building functional and comfortable for its occupants.
Recently, local councils across the UK have committed to large-scale retrofitting programmes to upgrade social housing and public buildings. As part of their mission to improve energy efficiency, they require retrofit professionals to conduct detailed evaluations of buildings, assessing everything from insulation to energy usage. These professionals provide critical data and recommendations on how to reduce energy consumption, ensuring projects meet strict government standards.
On the ground level, Retrofit Installers are being hired to carry out the physical work of upgrading buildings. Whether it’s improving wall and roof insulation or installing solar panels and energy-efficient glazing, these skilled workers are responsible for turning the retrofit plans into reality. Their work not only reduces carbon emissions but also helps households save on energy bills, making retrofitting a win-win for sustainability and affordability.
Why retrofit jobs are on the rise
As the UK works toward achieving its energy targets, there’s an increasing need for skilled professionals to carry out retrofitting projects. This demand has created a thriving job market for those interested in green careers. Retrofit Assessor jobs and Retrofit Coordinator jobs are becoming essential to ensure that projects are executed according to government regulations and energy standards.
Earlier this year, the UK government introduced a range of policies and regulations that prioritise the retrofitting of existing buildings. Programmes like the Energiesprong initiative, the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund aim to encourage the widespread adoption of energy-efficient upgrades. With rising energy prices affecting both households and businesses, there is an increased incentive to invest in retrofitting.
It has been revealed that nearly 40% of the UK’s carbon footprint can be attributed to buildings, retrofitting existing homes and commercial properties is essential to achieving energy efficiency. Retrofitting reduces the need for new construction and minimises waste by enhancing what already exists, making it a sustainable solution that aligns with the UK’s green agenda.
Key retrofit jobs
Here are some key retrofit roles gaining traction in the job market:
Retrofit Assessors: Retrofit Assessors are responsible for evaluating the energy performance of buildings. They conduct detailed surveys, assessing elements like insulation, windows, heating systems, and energy usage to determine where improvements can be made.
Key responsibilities include:
Conducting energy assessments of residential and commercial properties.
Producing reports on current energy performance and suggesting retrofit measures.
Ensuring compliance with UK standards, such as PAS 2035.
Expected skills:
Strong understanding of energy efficiency principles.
Knowledge of building fabrics, heating, and ventilation systems.
Experience with energy assessment software and government energy schemes.
Retrofit Advisors: Retrofit Advisors provide expert advice to homeowners, businesses, or social housing providers on improving energy efficiency. They guide clients through the process, from assessment to installation, ensuring they understand the benefits and options available.
Key responsibilities include:
Offering tailored advice on energy-saving measures.
Helping clients navigate funding options like the Green Homes Grant.
Coordinating with assessors, coordinators, and installers.
Expected skills:
Strong understanding of retrofitting options and government incentives.
Excellent communication and customer service skills.
Ability to interpret technical assessments and translate them into actionable advice for clients.
Retrofit Coordinators: Acting as project managers, Retrofit Coordinators oversee retrofit projects from start to finish, ensuring that they comply with regulatory standards and are completed on time and within budget.
Key responsibilities include:
Coordinating retrofitting projects from start to finish.
Ensuring that projects adhere to PAS 2035 and other relevant standards.
Managing contractors, assessors, and installers.
Liaising with clients to provide updates and project reports.
Expected skills:
Project management experience, ideally in construction or energy.
Knowledge of PAS 2035, building regulations, and energy efficiency requirements.
Strong leadership and communication skills.
Retrofit Designers: Retrofit Designers are responsible for creating detailed retrofit plans based on an Assessor’s report. They ensure the designs are technically sound and feasible, considering both energy savings and building performance.
Key responsibilities include:
Designing tailored retrofit solutions for individual properties.
Ensuring designs are aligned with energy-saving goals and regulations.
Collaborating with other professionals such as architects and engineers.
Expected skills:
Strong technical design experience, ideally within construction or energy.
Knowledge of building physics, thermal performance, and materials.
Proficiency in design software, such as CAD or BIM tools.
Retrofit Installers: Retrofit Installers are the hands-on professionals responsible for implementing energy-efficient upgrades. They perform tasks such as improving insulation, fitting energy-efficient windows, and installing renewable technologies like solar panels.
Key responsibilities include:
Installing energy-efficient solutions such as loft and wall insulation.
Upgrading windows, doors, and other building elements to reduce heat loss.
Installing renewable energy systems like heat pumps and solar panels.
Expected skills:
Practical knowledge of building systems and materials.
Installation skills with a focus on energy efficiency.
Qualifications in renewable energy technologies are a plus.
Addressing the skills gap
With the increasing demand for energy-efficient solutions, the retrofitting sector faces a skills gap. Recruiting qualified professionals is a significant challenge as companies and local authorities ramp up their efforts to retrofit millions of homes. This shortage of skilled retrofit professionals has led to a surge in recruitment efforts across the UK.
For recruitment agencies, finding professionals with both technical skills and the necessary certifications, such as PAS 2035, is essential. Experienced workers in construction, engineering, and energy sectors may consider transitioning into retrofitting roles to fill this growing need.
There are several factors contributing to the skills gap in the retrofitting industry:
Lack of specialised training: Retrofitting requires specialised knowledge of energy efficiency, building physics, and renewable technologies. Many professionals in construction, engineering and related fields lack the training and certifications needed to work on retrofitting projects, particularly under new frameworks.
Evolving standards and technologies: The retrofitting sector is constantly evolving with new technologies and updated standards for energy efficiency. This evolution means that even experienced construction professionals need ongoing training to stay up to date. The introduction of heat pumps, advanced insulation materials, and solar energy systems, for example, requires specific installation skills that aren’t part of traditional training programmes. This disconnect between current workforce capabilities and emerging technologies contributes to the growing skills gap.
Limited access to apprenticeships and upskilling opportunities: While there are apprenticeship programmes and courses for traditional construction roles, fewer options are available for specific retrofitting skills. Although initiatives like the Green Homes Grant have aimed to boost training in retrofitting, more long-term, government-backed apprenticeships and training schemes are needed to create a pipeline of talent capable of meeting the sector’s demands. Without structured pathways for professionals to transition into retrofit-specific roles, the gap will continue to grow.
High demand and limited workforce mobility: As the demand for retrofitting grows across the UK, particularly in regions like London, Manchester, and Scotland, many areas struggle to find qualified professionals. The competition for skilled retrofit workers is fierce, and many are tied to specific regions, limiting their mobility. Without enough trained workers willing or able to relocate for projects, companies find themselves understaffed and unable to meet project deadlines.
To truly address the retrofit skills gap, more focused efforts are required to attract and train the next generation of retrofit professionals. The government, educational institutions, and private sectors need to collaborate on several key initiatives.
Things like looking at increased funding for training programmes, industry-led certifications, on-the-job training and apprenticeships, and targeted outreach to schools and colleges can.
The importance of recruitment agencies in closing the gap
To meet the UK's energy goals, recruiting a skilled and knowledgeable workforce is crucial; it’s clear that the future of green employment lies in the retrofitting sector. Recruitment agencies play a pivotal role in connecting talent with the opportunities that will help achieve these goals.
By actively sourcing candidates from construction, engineering, and energy sectors, recruitment specialists can identify those with transferable skills and facilitate their transition into retrofitting roles.
Recruitment agencies, like Sellick Partnership, are well-positioned to help candidates understand the roles and training needed to qualify, they can advise candidates on trends and market fluctuations. Recruitment firms can also support candidates through certification processes, offering support and advice on career transitions, having the ability to recognise and discuss transferable skills.
Conclusion
Retrofitting is key to the UK's mission to reduce its carbon footprint and achieve its energy targets. As demand grows for retrofitting, there is an urgent need to recruit skilled professionals that can lead these projects. With retrofit jobs becoming essential in the green economy, now is the time for recruitment agencies and professionals to rise to the challenge.
If you are looking to recruit retrofit professionals or want to explore the opportunities available in this field, get in touch with a member of our Housing team today. Call us on 01332 542580 or email housing@sellickpartnership.co.uk.
