Neil Waite, Director of NetZero Collective, comments on the Government’s new Warm Homes Skills Programme

“Any move to build retrofit skills is welcome – and this new round of funding shows the government is committed to building a capable retrofit workforce. But if we want to see real change, short-term funding has to evolve into long-term strategy.

“At NetZero Collective, we’ve always believed that skills are the missing link in the net zero equation. We don’t just need more people – we need people with the right training, working to the right standards. That’s why we welcome this programme’s focus on accredited, high-quality training aligned with PAS2035 and PAS2038. It’s a crucial step towards consistency and trust across the industry.

“But it can’t stop there. Upskilling current workers is just as important as bringing in new ones. With an estimated 25% of the construction workforce – around 500,000 people – expected to retire or leave within the next 10 to 15 years, tackling the growing skills shortage is critical. This programme provides the practical, targeted support needed to bridge that gap while scaling quickly and sustainably.

“This programme gets a lot right – supporting NVQs in key trades, removing financial barriers, and promoting local delivery models that involve employers, job centres, and colleges. That’s the kind of joined-up thinking we need to grow real capacity, not just classrooms.

“The challenge now is delivery. Training has to be practical, inclusive, and rooted in the day-to-day needs of the sector. It has to prepare people not just for jobs, but for careers that support long-term sustainability and energy efficiency across the country.

“This is a strong step in the right direction. Now it’s about turning funding into futures.”