Hertfordshire’s social housing stock is set to undergo a green transformation over the next two years.

Over £100m of funding has been secured to make homes warmer and more energy efficient, providing major growth opportunities for the retrofit supply chain. Now, Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has secured a share of £5.5m of additional funding to ensure local people are equipped with the skills they need to fully maximise this growth opportunity.

The new funding has been secured from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to enable the delivery of regional projects to accelerate domestic retrofit skills capacity and capability.

Hertfordshire’s funding has been allocated via the Greater South East Net Zero Hub (GSENZH) – one of only five Net Zero Hubs to be chosen from across the country. The funding will support two phases of work, which includes the preparation of a Retrofit Skills Plan by the end of 2023, and the implementation of the plan through skills projects up to March 2024.

Retrofit skills will provide countywide benefits, including warmer homes and lower energy bills for the most vulnerable households; greater job prospects for local residents; and the chance for SMEs to secure new contracts and boost business growth.

Caroline Cartwright, Head of Skills at Hertfordshire LEP, said: “The drive to accelerate housing retrofit provides a rare opportunity for Hertfordshire to cultivate a thriving new sector that could boost the local economy for decades to come, and increase our contribution towards national net zero targets.

“The construction industry as a whole faces challenges around skills shortages and sustainability, and our county needs skilled professionals that can deliver decarbonisation at a scale we have never seen before. The additional funding we have secured will play a key role in helping to meet all of these needs.”

Give your views

Hertfordshire LEP is currently undertaking research to shape the county’s Retrofit Skills Plan, and invites the input of industry, academia and local government.

Two virtual focus group will be held to enable stakeholders to give their view, which will take place on:

• Tuesday 12^th December, 4-5pm for construction businesses, retrofit supply chain professionals and tradespeople – book your place.
• Wednesday 13^th December, 4-5pm for social housing providers and local authorities – book your place.

Those unable to attend are invited to complete a short online questionnaire.