Reed Group has launched Reed Environment to answer the retrofit skills gap, aiming to be the largest network of green training providers in the UK
In an effort to bridge the retrofit skills gap, Reed Environment aims to create a newly trained green workforce that will help meet net zero targets across the UK.
The plan involves delivering retrofitting training at scale and creating a recruitment pipeline, which it estimates could reduce the carbon footprints of millions of homes in the UK.
The UK currently is not on track to reach net zero by 2050
It follows research from Reed Environment which suggests that current rates of retrofit recruitment must triple if the country to meet 2050 net zero targets.
If the rate of recruitment doesn’t improve and the retrofit skills gap worsens, the UK will not achieve the target number of energy efficient installations to meet its net zero goal until 2105, 55 years part the current target.
Reed Environment has teamed up with the Oxford Energy Academy to deliver training
Training provider Oxford Energy Academy will initially offer training for two retrofit assessment courses in collaboration with Reed Environment.
The Domestic Energy Assessor and Retrofit Assessor will form the foundation for undertaking a retrofit project.
At full capacity, Reed Environment aims to add over a thousand new retrofitters to the market, connecting the trainees with job opportunities with Local Authorities, Housing Associations, and private landlords.
Answering the retrofit skills gap with sustainable, gainful employment
James Reed CBE, chairman of Reed in Partnership, said: “The UK is in a race to reach net zero by 2050. Meeting this target quickly is not only key to protecting the environment, but it is also a huge economic opportunity to create highly skilled jobs. A lack of skilled workers means we are currently falling behind.
“Nowhere is the UK’s green skills gap more apparent than in the retrofitting of our ageing housing stock. Currently, there is a serious shortage of retrofit training and recruitment pathways, meaning we are unable to embark on the retrofitting revolution that needs to happen. We need urgent action if we are to meet our net-zero targets and that’s why we’re launching Reed Environment to help address this problem.”
