A new report commissioned by CITB’s Repair, Maintenance and Improvement Sector Skills Advisory Group outlines that retrofit skills must be increased for the sector to grow and progress
The guiding principles of the report underpin the new RMI (Retrofit) Skills Sector Plan, developed with the Federation of Master Builders, employers and industry stakeholders.
Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “The RMI sector is often treated as the Cinderella of the construction sector, but domestic RMI represents 20% of UK construction’s economic output. That is more than new housing and more than infrastructure.
“The bigger picture is that retrofit is no longer niche; it is just everyday RMI work, carried out by thousands of small, local builders on a daily basis. It is therefore time that we invest in the skills and competence outcomes that this sector deserves.”
Combatting poor retrofit by putting quality at the heart of skills
Good retrofit improves energy efficiency and makes homes healthier for occupants. However, a poorly executed retrofit can pose significant risks to buildings and occupants.
The new plan combats poor retrofit by putting quality at the centre of the skills agenda, helping to ensure the RMI and retrofit workforce is fully equipped to maximise the benefits of retrofit while minimising risks as much as possible.
The key role of retrofit in delivering building safety and net-zero goals
This plan comes at a vital time for the construction industry, as it faces growing pressures to deliver on housing, net-zero, and building safety ambitions.
Retrofitting plays a key role in improving the performance of existing buildings, but delivering this at scale is a challenge and will greatly depend on having a skilled and competent workforce in place.
“Delivering retrofit at the scale needed across the UK depends on having a workforce with the right skills, knowledge, and competence,” stated Tim Balcon, chief executive officer at CITB.
“The RMI Sector Skills Plan brings the industry together around a shared approach, helping to simplify what can often be a complex landscape and making it easier for businesses and individuals to access the support they need.”
Delivering retrofit at scale
The plan will now move into delivery, with industry partners working closely together to progress its key actions and ensure the sector has the skills, standards and support needed to deliver retrofit at scale.
Balcon concluded: “We are increasingly focused on backing training and skills interventions that deliver clear, measurable impact for industry – improving competence, productivity, and long-term workforce capability.
“Because this plan has been developed by industry, for industry, it is precisely the kind of targeted investment where the Levy can deliver greater value: focusing collective effort on the skills that employers need most and helping to raise standards consistently across the retrofit workforce.”
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