The Urgent Need for Skilled Tradespeople in Retrofitting Historic Buildings
The UK government has recently emphasised the pressing need to expand construction training, specifically in traditional building methods and materials. This initiative aims to address the challenges in retrofitting older homes to enhance their energy efficiency. The review, jointly conducted by three departments, identifies a significant workforce shortage as a major obstacle in executing retrofitting projects, such as insulation addition or solar panel installation.
The Scale of the Challenge
Research by Capital Economics reveals that to meet the UK's 2050 net-zero target, over 105,000 new workers are required annually for the next thirty years. This workforce includes 14,500 electricians and 14,300 plumbers, dedicated solely to decarbonising the UK’s historic buildings. The current industry workforce lacks the necessary skills for retrofitting historic structures, primarily because construction training is predominantly focused on new builds and modern materials, neglecting traditional buildings and sustainable materials.
Government Strategies to Bridge the Skills Gap
To tackle this gap, the government plans to collaborate with awarding bodies and training providers. The goal is to ensure that construction training and qualifications, including apprenticeship standards, adequately cover traditionally constructed buildings and the use of traditional materials. This initiative is linked to the ongoing review by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) on T levels and other technical qualifications.
Furthermore, the National Retrofit Hub, established by the Construction Leadership Council, and a new skills forum by Historic England aim to coordinate retrofit activities and address the skills shortage.
Barriers to Retrofitting Efforts
The review also highlights several challenges, including the lengthy process of obtaining planning permission for energy efficiency measures, skill shortages within local authorities, lack of clear information for homeowners, and the costs involved in retrofitting old homes.
Our Role at Find A Start
At Find A Start, we recognise the importance of this initiative. As a platform dedicated to connecting contractors with skilled tradespeople, we are uniquely positioned to support these crucial retrofitting projects. Our platform facilitates the rapid assembly of skilled teams for tasks like insulation installation and solar panel fitting, essential for the energy efficiency retrofitting of historic buildings. With our focus on ease of use and efficient service, we offer contractors a streamlined process to find the right tradespeople and provide tradespeople with a steady stream of job opportunities in significant projects, contributing to the UK's net-zero ambitions.
Conclusion
As the UK government commits to transforming historic homes to be fit for the future, the collaborative efforts of public sector, private enterprises, and platforms like Find A Start are instrumental. We are dedicated to supporting the government’s initiative, helping to ensure that the UK's historic buildings are not only preserved but also play a vital role in the nation’s journey towards a sustainable future.
For more information about our services and our role in supporting the retrofitting of historic buildings, please visit Find A Start.
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