Source · Select Committees · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Accepted
Slow transition of skilled home heating workforce to low carbon retrofit, compounded by ageing.
Conclusion
The UK has a skilled home heating workforce but its transition to work on low carbon retrofit is not happening at the pace required to upgrade homes at scale. This is compounded by a twin underlying crisis: few new entrants to the sector and an ageing workforce. (Conclusion, Paragraph 135)
Government Response Summary
The government recognises the need for a skilled workforce, highlighting £13.2bn committed to the Warm Homes Plan, plans to train up to 18,000 workers, extended training grants, new skills programmes, and the development of several retrofit apprenticeships.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government recognises that a skilled, competent and robust supply chain is needed to deliver the necessary upgrades to buildings. Growing this workforce requires certainty, via government funding or regulation, so that companies can make the investments needed and individuals can obtain retrofit skills. The £13.2 billion committed to the Warm Homes Plan for schemes that support households to upgrade with heat pumps, energy efficiency measures and low carbon technology provides a clear forward trajectory to underpin this workforce growth. In April, the Department announced plans to train up to 18,000 skilled workers to install heat pumps, fit solar panels, install insulation and work on heat networks through the extension of the Heat Training Grant and launch of the Warm Homes Skills Programme. We have also been working with the industry to develop apprenticeships to support retrofit careers including a Level 2 Insulation Installation Operative, a Level 3 Insulation Technician and a Level 5 Retrofit Coordinator. This is in addition to the existing Low Carbon Heating Technician apprenticeship. The Department is also working with industry, the Department of Education and Skills England to deliver flexibility for employers and learners, making the skills offer more attractive to a wider group of learners to enable growth of the necessary skilled workforce. Skills England is also working to tackle the UK’s growing skills gaps, aligning training with industry needs, and expanding opportunities for people and businesses across England. Together with the Office for Clean Energy Jobs, Skills England will support this effort by tackling workforce and skills challenges specific to net zero sectors, including retrofit, ensuring that clean energy jobs are good jobs. We will outline further initiatives to support the sustainable growth of retrofit supply chains across the country in the Warm Homes Plan.