UK Must Commit to 10 Year Retrofit Workforce Strategy, New Report Urges

A NEW REPORT calls for urgent government action to tackle one of the biggest barriers to scaling home retrofit in the UK: a shortage of skilled people.

With 19 million homes needing energy efficiency upgrades by 2050, the report published today by the National Retrofit Hub makes the case for a coordinated national effort to build the retrofit workforce.

Without it, the organisation says progress on decarbonising homes will stall, putting the UK’s climate goals at risk and missing the wider benefits of retrofit, including improved public health, greater energy security, increased productivity, enhanced climate resilience, and stronger local economies.

10 Year Retrofit Workforce Strategy

The new paper, Policy Recommendations for a National Retrofit Workforce Strategy, proposes a 10-year strategy which would bring together government, industry, training providers, and local leaders to align policy, investment, and delivery while creating thousands of green jobs across the UK. Workforce competence would be at the heart of this strategy, ensuring retrofit is delivered to a high standard, with no unintended consequences for residents.

The report presents 10 evidence-based priorities for action. They are:

1. A National Retrofit Workforce Strategy to drive delivery
2. Clear, consistent policy direction to build confidence and unlock investment
3. Defined skills pathways and high-quality training provision
4. Reformed funding models to drive skills via public sector procurement
5. A competent workforce delivering better quality outcomes
6. Expanded training capacity to support a diversity of workers
7. Reformed apprenticeships with clear retrofit pathways
8. A national awareness campaign for retrofit careers
9. Creating the conditions to attract a diverse workforce
10. Support for SMEs and microbusinesses to build capacity and access contracts

The paper also calls for greater clarity on energy efficiency policy, particularly around Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), and for coordinated leadership at national, regional, and local levels.

Sara Edmonds, Co-Director of the National Retrofit Hub, said: “We already know what needs to be done. This paper brings it together in one place; clear, achievable, and grounded in practice. It echoes calls across the sector from those doing vital work but held back by the retrofit skills crisis, 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. This is about investing in people, places, and long-term progress.”

Tara Dean, Interim Co-Vice-Chancellor of London South Bank University, added: “I am delighted that London South Bank University is co-hosting the launch of this timely paper. Boosting the retrofit workforce will be vital if, as a country, we are serious about achieving net zero ambitions, kickstarting economic growth, and addressing social mobility.”

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