Two retrofitting experts from Hertfordshire Futures have shared their views on an industry net zero podcast following publication of a comprehensive research study into the topic.

Helen Pollock, Clean Growth Manager, and Caroline Cartwright, Head of Skills, were guest speakers on The Greater South East Net Zero Podcast, hosted by the hub’s Head of Operations, Joe Winter.

The benefits of retrofitting include lower energy bills, more comfortable and efficient premises, and improved green credentials for clients and staff. Caroline and Helen shared Hertfordshire’s experiences on identifying and addressing the retrofit skills gap as part of a Greater South East Net Zero Hub series of podcasts on the delivery of the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero’s (DESNZ) £5.3 million Regional Skills Pilot.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

The podcast followed publication of the Greater South East Net Zero Hub Retrofit Skills Plan in March this year, commissioned by DESNZ. Hertfordshire Futures was one of five regional organisations selected and funded by the Greater South East Net Zero Hub to carry out in-depth research into their local retrofit landscape. The analysis involved identifying key stakeholders, funding opportunities and issues and challenges as well as evaluating current training provision and estimating retrofit requirements through analysis of the housing stock.

The Hertfordshire Retrofit Skills Plan, produced after extensive research and highlighting a need to train approximately 59,000 retrofit professionals, was used as a basis for the new report.

Further challenges identified included limited public engagement, perception that accreditation is time-consuming, a constantly changing grant landscape, small engagement with households, lack of central government marketing and advice, accredited skills shortage, short grant delivery cycles, and a reactive supply chain.

Hertfordshire’s eight-point action plan was as follows:

• Raise retrofit awareness among construction tradespeople and businesses
• Increase retrofit awareness among colleges, independent training providers and businesses
• Increase employer engagement in retrofit, increasing retrofit training provision
• Increase the uptake of retrofit training courses
• Increase interest in retrofit training and uptake from learners
• Formalise the governance of Hertfordshire’s Retrofit Skills Plan
• Promote retrofit employment opportunities via the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
• Appoint dedicated ‘Greener Homes’ experts

The report identified how a key success for Hertfordshire from the Greater South East Net Zero Hub project was “extended and solidified stakeholder relationships, including partnerships with the Federation of Small Businesses, Samsung, Fujitsu, and local councils and social housing organisations.” A further success was the raising awareness of retrofit commercial opportunities for both employers and individuals.

Click here to view the full report.

Helen Burridge, manager of the Hertfordshire Futures-led Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership, speaking in biz4biz, magazine, praised the new partnership working, saying: “Until recently, Hertfordshire’s retrofit efforts were happening in silos – with planners, asset managers, training, housing and sustainability teams all working separately. Through the Local Area Retrofit Accelerator (LARA) project, Hertfordshire councils and Hertfordshire Futures have come together with wider stakeholders to develop a shared strategy. This collaboration is unlocking funding, strengthening the supply chain, and making retrofit simpler for residents and businesses.”