18,000 Housing Retrofitters - A Good Start or a Drop in the Ocean?

The UK government has announced plans to train 18,000 housing retrofitters as part of its Warm Homes Plan.

This initiative aims to create a “clean power army” by equipping professionals with the skills to install heat pumps, fit solar panels, improve insulation, and work on heat networks.

What This Means for the Skills Gap

The UK has been facing a shortage of skilled tradespeople, particularly in the green energy sector.

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has flagged a 166,000 shortfall in skilled workers, which is expected to rise to 250,000 by 2030.

While training 18,000 professionals is a step in the right direction, experts argue that more investment is needed to meet demand.

Impact on Social Housing

The National Housing Federation welcomed the initiative, as it aligns with efforts to retrofit social homes.

In November 2024, the government pledged to upgrade up to 60,000 social homes with energy-efficient improvements.

Retrofitting social housing is seen as a crucial step in reducing energy bills for low-income families and improving living conditions.

Additionally, the government is investing £4.6 million in Copeland to manufacture more heat pump parts in the UK, supporting local jobs and boosting economic growth.

While this initiative is promising, industry leaders stress that more financial support and a larger workforce will be needed to meet the UK’s ambitious energy efficiency targets.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think this will be enough to bridge the skills gap?