Source · Select Committees · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Recommendation 26
26
Acknowledged
Link investment in training to nationally recognised accreditation for retrofit and clean energy workers
Recommendation
We emphasise that workforce expansion in retrofit and clean heat must go hand-in-hand with high and verifiable standards of competence. Written evidence criticised aspects of the existing skills and competence system in retrofit and related sectors, calling for tighter and more rigorous training standards, improved accreditation and the raising of quality where some courses were described as being of ‘dubious value’. Other submissions advocated expanding mandatory certification and restricting grants to certified contractors as a way to protect consumers and ensure high- quality works. The Government’s workforce strategy should therefore link investment in training to nationally recognised, portable accreditation and competence frameworks, so that consumers, social landlords and public bodies can have confidence that retrofit and clean-energy works are being carried out by properly trained and certified workers. (Recommendation, Paragraph 98)
Government Response Summary
The government is reviewing the system of standards, oversight, and protections for energy efficiency and microgeneration installations, and will consult on options to simplify the system for consumers and installers, and will consider how the definition of competence for PAS roles could be broadened beyond qualifications.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The government agrees with this recommendation. In January 2025, as part of the Warm Homes Plan, the government announced it would review the system of standards, oversight and protections for energy efficiency and microgeneration installations (such as heat pumps, solar panels and batteries). The National Audit Office’s (NAO) Review into energy efficiency installations under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) found that the system created by government to oversee ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme installations was overly complex, with unclear and fragmented roles, responsibilities and accountabilities. The NAO recommended that the consumer protection and quality assurance system should be reformed to empower consumers, clarify roles and responsibilities across the system. And improve government oversight and accountability. The government is working to address these recommendations. Our approach to system reforms was outlined in the Warm Homes Plan. Our first priority is to deliver a system of consumer protections that is simple for consumers and installers to navigate. The fragmented landscape makes it hard for consumers to understand, and places significant burdens on installers. It requires certification and registration with a range of quality assurance bodies, increasing administrative burden and cost, without always delivering the oversight and support to ensure installations are completed right first time. As set out in the Warm Homes Plan, we will consult on options to simplify the system for consumers and installers, working with the government’s Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel, to test and develop proposals. Furthermore, the government recognises the importance of competence and its link to skills. As outlined in the Warm Homes Plan, the government, in its review of the PAS standard, will consider how the definition of competence for PAS roles could be broadened beyond qualifications, without compromising on safety and quality. The government aims to better align to