Retrofit service to train Manchester builders in green skills

A service that helps people in Greater Manchester to retrofit their homes is planning to train 3,500 builders, joiners, electricians and plumbers in green skills over the next five years with money raised via a £550,000 community share offer.

The not-for-profit service, People Powered Retrofit, is seeking investment to scale up its specialist eco-renovation training and help the city region hit its 2038 net-zero carbon target.

In addition to developing green jobs and skills, the scheme plans to make 1,150 homes in the region more energy efficient by 2026, saving 2,700 tonnes of carbon.

Jonathan Atkinson, programme manager at People Powered Retrofit, said: ‘Our homes are responsible for about 20% of the UK’s carbon emissions but to make properties more energy efficient, at scale, we need thousands more builders, installers and tradespeople with specialist green skills. Money raised through the community share offer will go towards skilling up this “green” workforce.’

Floor insulation contractor, Boris Afinogenov, who received training from the scheme, added: ‘The training I got through People Powered Retrofit convinced me to turn my woodwork hobby into work. They gave me access to information and to people connected with floor insulation. I also learnt about whole house insulation. They helped me to realise my ambitions, so I didn’t have to go back to my sales job.’

People Powered Retrofit is looking for investors to become part-owners of the service, with a minimum donation of £250, in order to expand the service, which is already part of Mayor Andy Burnham’s Greater Manchester Retrofitting Taskforce.

Funds raised through the community share offer will also help the not-for-profit scheme to recruit extra retrofit advisors, co-ordinators and assessors.

The scheme is open for investment until 30 November, and more information can be found here.

In related news, Leicester City Council has published a new guide to help developers adapt to the climate emergency by using greener, sustainable drainage systems.

Photo supplied by People Powered Retrofit