What retrofit training is available to tradespeople?

What is retrofitting?

Interested in retrofit training? First you’ll want to know more about what’s involved in retrofitting.

Retrofitting involves installing modern technology to an existing property. They are changes designed to improve a building’s performance.

It can include adding features to existing systems or installing new systems to help boost energy efficiency.

Some popular types of retrofitting include:

• Wall, floor, and loft insulation
• Window and door upgrades
• Heating systems upgrades
• Alternative boiler systems (eg. Air source heat pumps
• Renewable energy systems (eg. Solar panels)

Retrofit installations are now a highly lucrative business. When you want to offer your customers new ways to save money on reduced heating bills while adding value to their home, retrofit installations are an ideal solution.

Retrofit training for tradespeople

Before you start offering your services as a retrofit specialist, you’re going to need to complete some training.

Some of the courses on offer include:

• Insulation and building treatments
• Fenestration installation
• Cladding operations

All these courses provide successful delegates with a recognised industry qualification. City & Guilds Level 2 and Level 3 NVQs are provided upon successful completion of most courses.

What qualifications do you need for retrofit?

For most NVQ retrofit courses, no qualifications are needed to take the course.

If you already work in the area where you want to upskill, this will be beneficial when completing the course.

Knowledge of current Building Regulations is also beneficial. For certain courses such as cladding operations, it is preferable that delegates have some experience with cladding installation.

How long does it take to become trained for retrofit work?

Retrofit courses can take from four weeks to three months to complete. The length of the course will depend on what type of retrofitting is involved.

Most retrofitting NVQs will lead to successful delegates receiving a blue, gold, or black CSCS card.

CSCS cards are recognised across the construction industry. They provide holders with access to construction sites and prove that holders have the required training and qualifications to competently complete the retrofit work.

Specialist areas of retrofit work

Retrofitting a property should look at the entire building envelope. From the walls and roof space to the heating system and lighting. A comprehensive approach to retrofitting will always achieve the best results.

With this in mind, you may need to work with several different tradespeople on a retrofit project.

A retrofit coordinator will organise the different specialist teams to complete the project. Some of these may include:

• Retrofit plumbers and heating engineers
• Solar panel specialists
• Electricians with retrofit experience and qualifications
• Retrofit accredited glaziers
• Specialist insulation fitters (loft, floor, cavity wall)

A retrofit coordinator will draw up a plan to schedule each part of a retrofit project.

They will then liaise with the different specialists to organise a realistic time scale for the different parts of the project.

What is a retrofit coordinator?

A retrofit coordinator is responsible for overseeing an entire retrofit project. Initially, they will work alongside a retrofit assessor to assess the project and look at the best ways to improve a building’s energy efficiency.

They will then create a plan to manage the project in a safe and effective way.

Retrofit coordinators are essentially project managers. They are responsible for every aspect of the project from planning and installation to ensuring that all Building Regulations requirements are met and that new energy efficiency criteria are achieved.

What is a retrofit assessor?

A retrofit assessor is a specialist in energy efficiency. In the first stages of a retrofit project, they will conduct a thorough assessment of the building.

This assessment will help to determine the best approach to the retrofit project.

Retrofit assessors look at the entire building structure. They will take calculations and analyse data to determine current energy efficiency capacity and work out where savings could be made.

They will then write a report that the retrofit coordinator will use to create the retrofit project plan.

Save on business essentials as a Checkatrade member

At Checkatrade, we have partnerships with various suppliers – so once you’re fully trained as a tradesperson, you can get to work.

As one of our members, you’ll get access to all the discounts offered by our trade partners.

• Tools, materials and equipment (Wickes and Selco)
• Insurance (Superscript)
• Accounting software (Quickbooks)
• Breakdown cover (RAC)

We’ll even help you create an online profile to start building your reputation.

To find out more about opportunities as a Checkatrade member and the potential benefits for your trade business, why not get in touch today?

Our fixed term membership plans give you an easier way to help manage marketing spend for a set volume of leads.