The National Retrofit Hub resources at a one year milestone

[edit] Four key NRH resources

Since January, the National Retrofit Hub (NRH) have released four key resources that meet the crucial objectives set out by its working groups. These resources include:

• Qualifications & Training Map
• Regional Retrofit Skills Taskforce Checklist
• Digital Building Logbooks Explainer & Data Matrix
• EPC Reform: Recommendations from the industry

It is also one years since its co-directors, Rachael Owens and Sara Edmonds, took up their roles facilitating collaboration within the industry to help enable the delivery of retrofit across the UK.

[edit] Comments from the co-directors

Co-director Sara Edmonds said: "Over the last year, one significant and repeating experience I have had is seeing the commitment to collaborating, sharing knowledge, learning, and working together from our network and beyond. In this time of change, it is heartening to see the retrofit network coming together, leading from the ground, and supporting each other. While there may be differing opinions on specific details, fundamentally, we are all pushing in the same direction to improve the resilience and health of our homes and neighbourhoods."

Co-director Rachael Owens said: "Over the last year I have been inspired by the broad and deep expertise of those collaborating with the National Retrofit Hub. This, coupled with a generosity of time and knowledge from so many engaged, has led us to quickly form a picture of all the levers and drivers within the retrofit sector. It is apparent that we need a diversity of skills and perspectives, from data science to deep community engagement, to enable the local delivery of retrofit at scale. This work has made us even more committed to a world where our existing buildings meet the health and wellbeing needs of all people, while ensuring we do not exceed planetary boundaries. In the next year we will build on the strong network we have created, to continue to release resources, run events, and have conversations that support all retrofit stakeholders."

Rachael, was also recently selected as Sustainability Leader of the Year at the Architects Journal's 'AJ100' Awards.

[edit] Qualifications & Training Map

Released in January, this resource was created by our 'Workforce Growth & Skills Development' Working Group 3 Co-Chairs - Cara Jenkinson and Pippa Palmer - with the help of Research Associate at the University of Cambridge, Tercia Da Silva Jansen van Vuuren, and the group's participants.

It links to qualifications that are relevant for retrofit - some being retrofit-specific, others being entry-level construction courses from which learners could go on to undertake further courses relevant to retrofit, and apprenticeships that are currently in development. Informal training is also included in the 'Masterclasses and Webinars' tab, for those looking to consolidate their understanding of various topics.

[edit] Regional Retrofit Skills Taskforce Checklist

This checklist was published in April to assist Policy Officers, Delivery Officers, Home Energy Leads, or similar positions, working within Net Zero Hubs, Combined Authorities, and County Councils. As a living document, we remain committed to ongoing collaboration to ensure its relevance and effectiveness. Your input is invaluable, so please don’t hesitate to share any suggestions or feedback with us.

This document was created with contributions from Working Group 3 members, and led by Cara Jenkinson, Cities Manager at Ashden and Co-Chair of the Working Group.

[edit] Digital Building Logbooks Explainer & Data Matrix

Released in May, this resource gives an overview of what Digital Building Logbooks are, outlining work to date, and explores how the expansion of logbooks, with more detailed building information and renovation plans, could help scale the local delivery of good quality retrofit.

Accompanying this guide is a matrix of the data currently available on buildings across the UK, compiled by NRH Working Group 1 Technical Lead Louis Daillencourt. You can explore who holds what data, how it is accessed and used. Use the buttons at the top to sort and filter the matrix. This is a working database, which we would like to enrich, so please do get in touch if you are aware of any other sources of data on the UK's buildings.

[edit] EPC Reform: Recommendations from the industry

In this resource, which was released in May, you can find recommendations for EPC reform from a variety of sources. For each we have provided our own summary, and highlighted key areas of focus. This resource is provided so that our community can understand the scope of the discussion, and recommendations already on the table. Look out for more resources on EPC Reform coming very soon!

--National Retrofit Hub

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• Energy Performance Certificates.
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• Government urged to include home energy retrofits in Industrial Strategy.
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