The pressing need for a skilled retrofit workforce was high on the agenda at the UK’s inaugural National Retrofit Conference, which took place at London’s ExCeL last week.
The Retrofit Academy, which curated the event, used the occasion to launch a proposed Retrofit Workforce Roadmap to highlight how the business intends to train and upskill thousands of individuals to join ‘the retrofit revolution’ within the next five years.
Attendees heard how the academy will be opening a consultation with local government and industry professionals with the aim of agreeing a collaborative roadmap geared towards achieving this goal.
A panel chaired by Loreana Padron, Associate Director at ECD Architects also discussed the shortage of retrofit-literate architects and design professionals.
The event also saw the launch of the Retrofit Academy Awards with winneers including:
- Retrofit Coordinator of the Year: Sarsvati Varsani from Equans UK & Ireland
- Retrofit Assessor of the Year: Paul Sheridan from Severn Wye Energy Agency Ltd.
- Retrofit Designer of the Year: Guy Price from Fineline Architectural Design Ltd.
- Retrofit Graduate of the Year: Roger Thomson
- Retrofit Installer of the Year: Cardo Group
- Retrofit Contractor of the Year: Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd.
- Retrofit Assessment and Coordination Service of the Year: Crawford & Co. Surveyors
- Best Local Authority-Led Retrofit Programme of the Year: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
- Best Social Housing-Led Retrofit Programme of the Year: Citizen Housing & Stroud District Council (joint winners)
- Best Retrofit Social Value Award: Acivico Group
- Best Employer Award: Rider Levett Bucknall & Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd. (joint winners)
