Exhibitor News

Supporting learners through industry change

The Installation Assurance Authority Federation (The IAAF) recognises the challenges currently affecting many professionals within the energy efficiency and retrofit sector following the scrapping of ECO and wider market uncertainty.

Across the industry, skilled individuals have experienced reduced workloads, contract losses, delayed projects and employment disruption.

Despite this, the long-term need for qualified retrofit professionals remains strong as the sector continues to adapt to changing standards and future delivery requirements.

The UK Government’s Warm Homes Plan, a £15 billion initiative to upgrade up to 5 million homes by 2030, offers the retrofit supply chain long-term potential.

To help retain critical skills within the industry, The Installation Assurance Authority Federation (The IAAF) has launched a fully funded retrofit training opportunity for professionals whose employment has been affected by current market conditions.

These fully funded training courses  support professionals who are seeking to strengthen employability opportunities by gaining recognised qualifications.
 
Caroline Kuchta, Chief Operating Officer at The IAA, commented, “The long-term demand for qualified retrofit professionals remains strong despite current market pressures. Retaining skills within the industry is essential to meeting future delivery requirements.”

Caroline went on to say, “The IAAF remains committed to supporting competence, quality and workforce resilience across the retrofit sector. Typically, with such significant job losses, the government would step in and set up initiatives to ensure those facing redundancy had effective support to help get them back into employment. It is disappointing that this has not yet materialised, and The IAAF has had to deploy its own funds to support those affected.”

Professionals seeking information on Warm Homes Skills Programme, or funded retrofit qualifications can now access fully funded training opportunities. Eligible applicants can apply for fully funded retrofit qualifications at Levels 3, 4 and 5, with no course fees to pay. See below for details.

Applications close on 15th July 2026.

What free retrofit training is available?

The funded training programme includes qualifications designed to support progression across the retrofit and energy efficiency sector.

Available qualifications include:

Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management

This qualification is designed for professionals looking to work as Retrofit Coordinators under PAS 2035.

The course covers:

• Retrofit risk management
• Compliance and quality assurance
• Whole-house retrofit planning
• Occupancy assessment
• Ventilation and moisture risk
• Retrofit project coordination 

Level 4 Award in Assessing Domestic Dwellings for Retrofit

This course supports professionals seeking to become qualified Retrofit Assessors.

Learners develop skills in:

• Domestic property assessment
• Energy efficiency surveying
• Data collection for retrofit projects
• PAS 2035 assessment requirements
• Occupancy and building condition evaluation

Level 4 Award in Retrofit Assessment and Older and Traditional Buildings (combined course)

This combined course focuses on retrofit assessment for older, traditional, and heritage properties.

Training includes:

• Traditional building construction
• Moisture management
• Solid wall property retrofit
• Heritage-sensitive energy efficiency improvements
• Risk identification in older homes 

Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency Measures for Older and Traditional Buildings

This qualification supports installers and tradespeople delivering energy efficiency improvements in traditional housing stock.

Key learning areas include:

• Appropriate retrofit measures
• Building fabric considerations
• Ventilation awareness
• Moisture and condensation risk
• Energy efficiency best practice 

Why are the IAAF supporting the industry with free courses?

Despite current challenges, the UK government’s wider housing decarbonisation ambitions will mean retrofit delivery is expected to remain a major long-term priority.

External policy initiatives, including the GOV.UK Warm Homes Skills Programme continue to reinforce the need for long-term retrofit workforce development and competency growth across the UK housing sector.

Future demand is likely to be driven by:

• The Warm Homes Plan
• Net zero carbon targets
• Social housing decarbonisation
• Domestic energy efficiency upgrades
• EPC improvement requirements
• Heat loss reduction targets
• Fuel poverty reduction programmes
• PAS 2035 compliance standards

The UK has millions of homes requiring energy efficiency improvements, particularly older and hard-to-treat properties.

This means demand for qualified retrofit professionals - especially those with recognised PAS 2035 qualifications - is expected to continue growing once future funding mechanisms and delivery frameworks are established.

Who can apply for the free retrofit training?

Fully funded courses are available to those in England who have been affected by the scrapping of ECO, impacting current sector conditions.

Priority consideration will be given to applicants experiencing:

• Redundancy
• Reduced workloads
• Loss of ECO-related contracts
• Reduced opportunities within current roles
• Difficulty securing work within the sector
• Employer restructuring or programme closures
• Transitioning from roles impacted by funding changes

Evidence requirements will be handled sensitively and confidentially.

Applicants must also meet course-specific eligibility and pre-requisite requirements.

Why qualifications matter in retrofit

The retrofit sector continues to require quality assurance, compliance, and competency requirements.

Qualifications linked to PAS 2035 are increasingly important for:

• Accessing funded retrofit work
• Working within compliant delivery frameworks
• Demonstrating competence
• Supporting quality assurance
• Improving career progression
• Expanding professional services

For many installers and energy professionals, gaining additional retrofit qualifications may help strengthen long-term employability and open opportunities in assessment, coordination, surveying, compliance, and project management.

How to apply for the funded retrofit training courses

Applications for funded places close on 15 July 2026.

Because places are limited, professionals affected by ECO funding changes or wider retrofit sector disruption are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Applicants can also speak confidentially with the IAA team to:

• Discuss suitable qualification pathways
• Explore career progression options
• Understand eligibility requirements
• Identify the most relevant retrofit qualification
• Explore opportunities within the energy efficiency sector  

For more information and application details, visit:
https://www.theiaacs.co.uk/warm-homes-skills-programme/

Professionals can also contact the team confidentially to discuss eligibility, suitable qualification pathways, and career progression opportunities within retrofit and energy efficiency.