As Scotland progresses its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy efficiency, the demand for skilled tradespeople capable of delivering domestic retrofit projects is rising.
Retrofitting existing homes to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon footprints, and increase comfort is not just a trend—it’s a necessity. At Dumfries and Galloway College, we recognise this growing need. As part of our recently launched Net Zero Skills Centre, our retrofit courses will bridge the gap between traditional building practices, which are still required, and the cutting-edge techniques needed to improve energy efficiency in existing homes.
Courses Tailored to Industry Needs
The Net Zero Skills Centre is the most comprehensive resource for retrofit training in the south of Scotland. It offers courses developed by collaborating with industry experts, ensuring our training is relevant and aligned with the latest standards and best practices.
But what are retrofitting courses, and who would benefit most from completing them? Below is a summary of the courses we currently offer, followed by a list of courses to come.
What: The course is designed to give installers the skills and knowledge to install heat pumps correctly.
Who: Plumbers
How: In-person
Where: Dumfries and Stranraer
When: 30th Sept, 28th Oct, 28th Nov (duration of 4 days for each start date)
BPEC Solar Thermal Domestic Hot Water Systems
What: The course is designed to give installers the skills and knowledge to install solar thermal hot water systems correctly in domestic properties.
Who: Plumbers
How: In-person
Where: Dumfries campus
When: 5th December 2024
What: The course covers Water Byelaws and meets the requirements of The Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS).
Who: Plumbers, or those training to become a plumber
How: In-person
Where: Dumfries campus
When: Enquire now
City & Guilds 18TH Edition of the Wiring Regulations 2382-22 Update
What: The course is a follow-on to the City & Guilds 2382-15 17th Edition Wiring Regs and will cover subjects similar to that on the full course but be covered in a shorter period.
Who: Practicing electricians and domestic installers, contracts managers, designers, electrical engineers, surveyors and other related trades.
How: In-person
Where: Dumfries campus
When: Enquire now
What: This course will put your business firmly on the road to Net Zero, but providing you with access to carbon accounting software, tools to become more efficient and in turn profitable, peer learning and invaluable business networking. You will have access to the UK’s leading experts on carbon measurement and technology. At the end of the course, you will meet the UK Government SECR and PPN 06/12 Accreditation
Who: any company, any size, any sector
How: online, interactive Teams meetings, and self-study
Where: online and occasional in-person events and meetings
When: 1 October 2024
SVQ in Insulation and Building Environment at SCQF Level 6
What: allows you to demonstrate competence in job-related skills such as compliance with building codes, creating a safer and healthier environment.
Who: Joiners, Carpenters and other trades people
How: Work-based
Where: In your workplace
When: Now
Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit
What: The course gives a well-grounded understanding of what’s involved in domestic retrofit projects and their benefits.
Who: Tradespeople, mortgage professionals, housing professionals, people working in advisory roles, i.e., Citizens Advice staff
How: Online/distance learning
Where: Online
When: Now
Level 3 Award in Domestic Retrofit Advice
What: The course provides the knowledge, skills and confidence to provide retrofit projects and installation advice to a broad range of people.
Who: Construction and built environment professionals and trades, mortgage professionals, housing professionals, people working in advisory roles, i.e., Citizens Advice staff
How: Online/distancing learning
Where: Online
When: Now
Level 4 Award in Domestic Retrofit Assessment
What: The course trains participants to become a Retrofit Assessor and be able to survey properties and prepare a report in line with a Retrofit Coordinator’s requirements. These include a full EPC, a ventilation and occupancy assessment and a condition survey.
Who: Housing Association staff, Local Authority staff, energy and utility company staff and specialist retrofit specialists, Existing Energy Assessors, those interested in retrofit career development
How: Online/distance learning
Where: Online
When: Now
Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management
What: The course trains participants to become Retrofit Coordinators and Risk Managers; these are built environment professionals responsible for facilitating, managing and delivering retrofit work to the PAS 2035 standard, which is mandatory on all domestic retrofit projects delivered under TrustMark.
Who: Architects, construction Professionals,
How: Online/distance learning
Where: Online
When: Now
And There’s More to Come
In the coming months, we will also be adding the following courses to the programmer offered at the Net Zero Skills Centre:
- Solar Photovoltiac Systems NOS Mapped
- Electrical Energy Storage Systems
Meeting the Retrofit Challenge Head-On
The demand for skilled retrofit professionals is growing rapidly, driven by Scotland’s ambitious sustainability goals and the increasing awareness among homeowners of the benefits of retrofitting. By equipping our tradespeople, construction professionals, and people whose work involves any aspect of supporting building or energy management with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver high-quality retrofit projects.
Join the Retrofit Revolution
If you’re a tradesperson or construction professional interested in learning more about how these courses and qualifications could benefit your career development, we are here to help. Our Net Zero Skills Centre courses will equip you with the cutting-edge knowledge and practical experience you need to succeed in this dynamic field.
Enquire today and get retrofit ready – because the future of sustainable building is in your hands.