Policy Recommendations for a National Retrofit Workforce Strategy
We’re proud to launch our latest report, Policy Recommendations for a National Retrofit Workforce Strategy, developed in collaboration with Ashden and Polln. The report sets out an urgent call for government leadership and long-term investment in skills to deliver warmer homes, lower energy bills, and the UK’s climate goals.
With 19 million homes needing energy upgrades by 2050, one of the biggest barriers remains the lack of a skilled retrofit workforce. This report offers a bold but achievable plan: a 10-year National Retrofit Workforce Strategy, bringing together government, industry, training providers and local leaders to create the conditions for success.
The paper outlines ten clear and evidence-based priorities for building workforce capacity across the country:
Ten priorities for action
1. A national strategy to lead and coordinate delivery
2. Clear and consistent policy to unlock investment
3. Defined skills pathways and high-quality training
4. Reformed funding models to drive skills via public sector procurement
5. A skilled workforce delivering better outcomes
6. Expanded training capacity to support a diversity of workers
7. Reformed apprenticeships with retrofit pathways
8. A national campaign to promote retrofit careers
9. Actions to attract people from all backgrounds
10. Support for SMEs and microbusinesses to grow and thrive
The report also calls for stronger clarity on energy efficiency policy, particularly around Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), and for coordinated leadership at national, regional and local levels.
“We already know what needs to be done. This paper brings it together—clear, achievable, and grounded in practice. It builds on the great work already happening across the sector and strengthens the case for urgent, coordinated action. If we want to scale retrofit, we have to scale skills. The opportunity is enormous, but it needs commitment.”
Sara Edmonds, Co-Director of the National Retrofit Hub
The paper has been co-authored by Cara Jenkinson (Ashden) and Pippa Palmer (Polln Limited and LSBU), drawing on the work of our Workforce Growth & Skills Development Working Group. It reflects insight gathered through discovery workshops, sector research, and the voices of employers, educators, local authorities and retrofit specialists.
We give huge thanks to all those who contributed so generously to this critical research. Special thanks also to those who took the time to review the findings and help shape this paper:
Alex Minter
Charlotte Ravenscroft
Ellie Davis
Gavin Killip
Hazel Mealy
Jack Ostrofsky
Juliet Baillie
Kate Simpson
Rob Hargraves
LAUNCH SPONSORED BY:
London South Bank University (LSBU) has been providing vocational education in south London since 1892. We offer training that transforms lives, communities, businesses, and society through applied education and insight. Our mission today is to be an enterprising civic university that addresses real-world challenges and delivers industry-relevant education for all.
We have established LSBU Group, a combination of like-minded specialist secondary, further and higher education providers. This joined-up approach enables us to deliver green skills pathways at every level, from entry-level retrofit training to advanced research and innovation in energy engineering.
Our College of Technology and Environment brings together interdisciplinary research and teaching in energy systems, retrofit, and sustainable construction. The College leads nationally recognised initiatives such as GreenSCIES, Balanced Energy Networks, and the Net Zero Building Centre, delivered in partnership with BSRIA. Alongside these, LSBU supports community-focused innovation through its Energy Advice Centre and Green Skills Hub, and offers hands-on learning and retrofit skills development through short courses and technical qualifications.
