Home Decarbonisation Skills Training Competition
The Home Decarbonisation Skills Training Competition (HDSTC) is a scheme to provide grant awards to a range of training organisations in England. Appointed training providers will provide appropriate training and support to installers operating across the different Department for Energy Security and Net Zero retrofit schemes.
Supporting the supply chain in this way will help build capacity and resilience for home energy retrofit delivery more widely, as well as scaling up delivery further as Government works towards meeting its 2030 and 2050 decarbonisation targets.
Phase 2 (2023-2024)
£8.85m of grant funding has been made available through the competition to registered training providers based in England. The aim of the competition, which is being facilitated by the Midlands Net Zero Hub, is to award funding to a range of providers to deliver accredited training at scale to support the retrofit sector. It is expected that around 8,000 courses will be delivered through the second phase of the competition.
Through the second iteration of Home Decarbonisation Skills Training Competition, Further Education colleges, training academies, and manufacturer training centres can bid for up to £1m to deliver one or more of the following aims:
– Installation training to the specific technology standard – for example, National Occupational Standards, PAS 2030:2019 standards, PAS 2035 standards or higher.
– Training in the installation of one or more individual energy efficiency measures, including training for individuals with existing construction skills and training for those new to the sector
– Support for training in retrofit assessor and retrofit coordinator skills to PAS 2035 standard, leading to the relevant qualification
Approved training providers
DMR Training and Consultancy Ltd
DMR Training and Consultancy Ltd. is an independent training company, specialising in providing tailored construction training solutions. Available courses include:
– NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 Insulation and Building Treatments
– Level 3 Energy Efficiency for Older and Traditional Buildings
– Level 2 Award in Understand Domestic Retrofit
Training will be delivered face to face and online, and opportunities will be available across England. Find out more.
Edwards Hart Ltd
Edwards Hart Ltd have been providing consultancy services and producing training resources for a range of organisations since 2014.
The Edwards Hart Academy initially developed the 2 Day Traditional Building Retrofit course working with CITB’s National Construction College, and since that time has been delivering this course through the Environment Study Centre.
They will provide training for:
– NOCN Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency Measures for Older and Traditional Buildings Qualification
Training will be delivered online and available across England. Find out more.
Elmhurst Energy System
Elmhurst Energy is the UK’s largest Accreditation Scheme for energy professionals, with 30 years’ experience in training/accreditation. They will deliver the following Retrofit assessor training for new entrants and existing domestic energy assessors (DEAs).
They will provide training for:
– ABBE L3 Domestic Energy Assessor training + Retrofit Assessor Training (new entrant route)Retrofit Assessor Training (DEA Upskill Route) to existing domestic energy assessors
– ABBE Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency for Older and Traditional Buildings
Training will be delivered online and available across England. Find out more.
ET Training Limited (trading as Energy Trust)
ET Training Ltd is an energy training centre based in Leicestershire established in 2008. They will deliver the following retrofit assessor and coordinator training and insulation courses:
– ABBE Level 3 Award in Introduction to Domestic Retrofit
– ABBE Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management
– ABBE Level 3 Certificate for Retrofit Assesor
– City & Guilds/ABBE Level 3 Certificate in Domestic Energy Assessment (to be offered in conjunction with the Retrofit Assessor training as a DEA+RA package)
– ABBE Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency of Older and Traditional Buildings
Training will be delivered both face to face and online. It will be available in the Midlands region. Find out more.
Exeter College
Exeter College has built capacity to deliver high-quality training for the retrofit sector over the last three years. It works with Trustmark to ensure its courses align with NOS and it has a national network of retrofit training delivery partners.
They will provide training for:
– PAS 2035 ABBE Level 3 Certificate for Retrofit AssessorsPAS 2035 ABBE Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Assessment
– NOCN Level 3 Certificate in Competence for the Installation of External Wall Insulation in the Workplace (existing installers)
– NOCN Level 3 Certificate in Competence for the Installation of Internal Wall Insulation in the Workplace (existing installers)
– NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Competence for the Installation of Floor Insulation in the Workplace (existing installers)
– NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Competence for the Installation of Roof/Loft Insulation in the Workplace (existing installers)
– NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Competence for the Installation of Draft Proofing in the Workplace (existing installers)
– ABBE Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency for Older and Traditional Buildings
Training will primarily be delivered face to face with a small element online. It will be available in Exeter, within the South-West Net Zero Hub region.
Expedient Training Service Limited
Expedient Training have experience of delivering qualifications and training within the construction training sector market, as they deliver high quality NVQs, training, and consultancy to low carbon installers across the UK. Expedient Training Ltd were acquired by Simply Certification Ltd to provide an offering to the UK market to support the increase of qualified and competent people and organisations within the supply chain around Retrofit. Expedient will shortly be rebranded to Simply Learning.
They will offer the following courses:
– ABBE/NOCN Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Assessment (Over a 3-month period)
– ABBE Level 3 Certificate for Retrofit Assessors
– NVQ Level 2 /3 in Building Treatments and Insulation with additional pathway, in the following:
1. External Wall Insulation – Boarder
2. Cavity Wall Insulation
3. Cold Roof Insulation
4. Draught-Proofing
5. Internal Insulation
6. Insulate Framed Sections of Buildings
7. External Wall Insulation – Finisher
8. Warm Roof Insulation
9. Floor Insulation
– ABBE/NOCN Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency for Older and Traditional Buildings
– NOCN Skills Awards Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit
– Skills-based training across the measures
Training will be delivered both face to face and online at a site in the North East of England and a site in Birmingham.
GTEC Training Ltd
Administered by GTEC Training Ltd, the Retrofit Home Installer Training Support Scheme (RHITSS) will will work with smaller training providers as well as larger manufacturers, merchants and facilities management companies ensuring to deliver training.
They will provide training for:
– Level 3 ABBE or LCL Retrofit Assessor training
– Level 3 ABBE or LCL Retrofit Coordinator training
– Level 3 ABBE or LCL Introduction to Domestic Retrofit Introduction to Domestic Retrofit
– Conforming to general health and safety in the workplace and core insulation theory
– External Wall – Boarder
– Installing Cavity Wall
– Cold Roof Insulation
– Draft Proofing
– Internal Insulation
– Insulate Framed Sections
– External Wall – Finisher
– Warm Roof Insulation
– Floor Insulation
Training will be delivered face to face and online and available across England. Find out more.
London Skills & Development Network
London Skills & Development Network is a not-for-profit social enterprise that provides education and skills training. They will be providing the following training courses:
– ETCAL Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit (introductory course) – intro to PAS 2035 standards
– ABBE Level 3 Certificate for Retrofit Assessors
– ABBE Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Assessment
– Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency for Older and Traditional Buildings
Training will be classroom-based in London. Find out more.
Passivhaus Trust Ltd
The Passivhaus Trust (PHT) is an independent industry leading organisation that promotes the adoption of Passivhaus in the UK. Passivhaus is an international design standard, and thousands of buildings have been certified to this standard worldwide.
The following training will be delivered to National Open College Network (NOCN) standards:
Fabric First and Whole House Retrofit course
NOCN Certificates of Competence will be awarded to the successful learners.
The course will be comprised of the following modules:
– Insulation options – Loft, CWI, IWI, EWI and pipe lagging
– Thermal bridging and how to avoid
– Airtightness
– Ventilation
– Windows, doors and draught proofing in relation to insulation and thermal performance
Renewable energy technologies and their relationship to building fabric performance
The course will be comprised of the following modules:
– Building physics tools to analyse and assess the best-performing options
– Moisture and its impact on building fabric and performance
– Penetrations and fenestration installation considerations with the fabric layer and insulation types
– Insulation installation in suspended timber floors, solid floors, lofts and intermediate floor junctions
Training will be delivered both face to face and online. It will be available in Hereford, Yorkshire and Peterborough.
Reed in Partnership Ltd
Part of the Reed Group, the UK’s largest family-owned recruitment company, Reed in Partnership is an accredited provider of training through awarding bodies. They will work with Oxford Energy Academy and Quidos to provide the following retrofit assessor and retrofit co-ordinator training:
– Domestic Energy Assessor training delivered to PAS 2035 standard, leading to a qualification from ABBE
– Retrofit assessor training delivered to PAS 2035 standard, leading to a qualification from ABBE
– Retrofit co-ordinator training delivered to PAS 2035 standard, leading to a qualification from ABBE
The Domestic Energy Assessor qualification is a prerequisite to completing the Retrofit Assessor qualification, and therefore offered as a combined course giving learners both qualifications.
Training will be face to face, with Reed Environment providing existing facilities across England. Find out more.
Retrofit Academy
The Retrofit Academy is a not-for profit training company that will deliver the following courses:
– AIM Qualifications Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management
– AIM Qualifications Level 4 Award in Domestic Retrofit Assessment
– ABBE Level 3 Certificate Domestic Energy Assessor
– ABBE Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency for Older and Traditional Buildings
– NOCN Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit
– ABBE Level 2 Award in Introduction to External Wall Insulation
Training will be delivered both online and face to face. It will be available across England. Find out more.
SB Skills Solutions Ltd
SB Skills Solutions will be offering Level 2 NVQ in Low Carbon (Insulation) Trades accredited through GQA Awarding Body as follows:
– Level 2 NVQ Cold Roof Insulation2. Cavity Wall Insulation
– Level 2 NVQ Internal Insulation4. Draught-proofing
– Level 2 NVQ Warm Roof Insulation6. Insulate Framed Sections of Buildings
– Level 2 NVQ External Wall Insulation8. Floor Insulation
– Level 2 NVQ Cavity Wall Insulation
– Level 2 NVQ Draught Proofing
– Level 2 NVQ Floor Insulation
– Level 2 Insulate Frame Sections of Building
Training will be delivered face to face and online, and opportunities will be available in the North West, South East, South West, and Midland regions.
Specialist Trade Courses (trading as The STC Group)
Specialist Trade Courses (STC) has been providing training and employment services in London and the East of England since 2004.
STC will deliver the following training courses:
– NOCN Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management
– NOCN Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit
Training will primarily be delivered face to face with a small element online. It will be available in Essex & East London, within the Greater South East region.
The Insulation Assurance Authority Commercial Services (IAACS)
The IAACS is the sister organisation of the Insulation Assurance Authority (IAA). The IAACS delivers a range of commercial services including. Training, Testing and Retrofit Coordinator Services.
The IAACS will provide training in:
– NOCN Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management
– NOCN Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Insulation and Building Treatments (Construction)
– NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Insulation and Building Treatments
– NOCN Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit
– NOCN Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency Measures for Older and Traditional Buildings
The IAACS’s training is available across England. Find out more.
Think Construction Skills Ltd
Think Construction Skills Ltd (TCS) was established in October 2013 and provides a nationwide on-site assessment training for a wide range of construction based NVQs. TCS will provide NVQ assessments for the Level 2 and Level 3 in Insulation and Building Treatments delivered to the National Occupational Standards (NOS). The NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Insulation and Building Treatments is broken down into 6 pathways and the Level 3 into 8 pathways.
– Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Insulation and Building Treatments (Construction)
– Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Insulation and Building Treatments (Construction)
Think Construction Skills’ training will be available across England. Find out more.
Trade Engine Ltd
Trade Engine have provided project management, compliance and installation solutions within the UK’s Energy Efficiency sector since 2014. They will be working in partnership with Synergy Training Centre to deliver the following training:
– ABBE Level 3 Certificate for Retrofit Assessors
– ABBE / NOCN Awards Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management
– NOCN Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency Measures for Older and Traditional Buildings
Training will primarily be delivered online. It will be available across England. Find out more.
UK Skills Academy
UK Skills Academy is a specialist Digital, Construction and Low Carbon training, education, and assessment organisation established in 2013. They formally merged with Northwest Skills Academy including their Low Carbon Academy training department in April 2023 to provide Net Zero skills training.
UK Skills Academy will be offering the following courses:
– City & Guilds Level 2 NVQ in Insulation and Building Treatments – Wood Preserving and Damp-proofing (Construction)
– City & Guilds Level 2 NVQ in Insulation and Building Treatments – Solid Floor Insulation (Construction)
– City & Guilds Level 2 NVQ in Insulation and Building Treatments – Under Floor Insulation (Construction)
– City & Guilds Level 2 NVQ in Insulation and Building Treatments – Cold Roof Insulation (Construction)
– City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ in Insulation and Building Treatments – Insulating Framed Sections of Buildings (Construction)
– City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ in Insulation and Building Treatments – External Wall Insulation – Boarder (Construction)
– City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ in Insulation and Building Treatments – External Wall Insulation – Finisher
– City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ in Insulation and Building Treatments – External Wall Insulation – Boarder and Finisher
– City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ in Insulation and Building Treatments – Internal Insulation (Walls)
Training will be delivered both online and face to face. It will be available across England. Find out more.
Unyte Academy
Unyte Academy, a division of the Unyte Group, is a well-established training provider and has been active in this sector for over five years. Unyte will offer the following courses:
– PAS 2035 ABBE Level 3 Certificate for Retrofit Assessors
– PAS 2035 ABBE Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Assessment
– NOCN Level 2 Understanding Domestic Retrofit PAS 2030 and PAS 2035
– NOCN Level 3 Energy Efficiency Measures for Older and Traditional Buildings PAS 2035
– NOCN Level 2 NVQ Diploma for Insulation and Building Treatments (Construction) – Cavity Wall Insulation PAS 2030
– NOCN Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Insulation and Building Treatments (Construction) – Internal Insulation (Walls) PAS 2030
– NOCN_ Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Insulation and Building Treatments (Construction) – External Wall Insulation Boarder and Finisher PAS 2030
– NOCN Level 2 NVQ Diploma for Insulation and Building Treatments (Construction) – Cold Roof Insulation PAS 2030
– NOCN Level 2 NVQ Diploma for Insulation and Building Treatments (Construction) – Under Floor Insulation PAS 2030
Training will be delivered both online and face to face. It will be available across England. Find out more.
Phase 1 (2022-2023)
£9.2m was available through the first iteration of the Home Decarbonisation Skills Training Competition. 18 training providers successfully bid for funding to deliver courses over three work packages:
– Retrofit assessor and coordinator
– Insulation
– Heat pumps
We are currently in the delivery phase for the first iteration of the competition which will wrap up in summer 2023. Over 9,000 courses are expected to be completed by trainees across England.
Find out more about how our Skills Training schemes are helping to upskill the workforce to deliver energy efficiency and low carbon projects at scale.
