Green skills are essential to delivering housing retrofit, net zero homes and warm, healthy homes at scale. For housing associations, local authorities and registered providers working towards decarbonisation, successful retrofit programmes depend not only on funding, policy and low-carbon technology, but also on having the right people, training and supply chain capacity in place.
The green skills challenge facing social housing is about ensuring there are enough trained people and capable suppliers to deliver retrofit, energy efficiency improvements, decarbonisation works and low-carbon technologies at the pace required to meet UK net zero ambitions.
At Fusion21, we believe addressing this challenge is critical to achieving long-term housing and decarbonisation goals. That's why we're working with members, suppliers and partners to help build workforce capacity and create lasting benefits for local communities.
Why green skills, retrofit and social value matter for housing providers
Green skills, retrofit training and social value are often viewed as separate priorities, but together they can help create long-term benefits for residents, communities, housing providers and the wider decarbonisation supply chain.
When workforce development is embedded into delivery programmes, it can help to:
Recent activity delivered through our frameworks has helped suppliers create hundreds of jobs and apprenticeships, while also supporting sustainability-focused training in areas such as retrofit, renewable technologies and carbon awareness. These outcomes demonstrate how procurement, partnerships and delivery programmes can help strengthen workforce capacity, develop green skills and generate lasting community benefits.
Turning net zero housing ambition into retrofit workforce action
Addressing workforce challenges requires more than identifying skills shortages. It requires collaboration, investment and practical action.
Through the Fusion21 Foundation, we are supporting initiatives that strengthen green skills pathways and help develop the retrofit workforce needed to support housing growth, energy efficiency improvements and net zero ambitions.
One example is our strategic partnership with Communities that Work through the Housing Growth and Green Skills Alliance.
This four-year Foundation-funded programme brings together organisations from across housing, government and the decarbonisation supply chain to better understand workforce challenges and explore practical solutions. The alliance is helping to improve understanding of:
By bringing together a range of organisations and perspectives, the programme is helping to create a stronger evidence base to support future workforce planning.
Working together to address the green skills and retrofit supply chain challenge
Recognising that no single organisation can solve the challenge alone, Fusion21's Social Value Team established the Green Skills and Workforce Development Group.
The group brings together suppliers from across our decarbonisation supply chain to explore collective action and identify practical ways to strengthen workforce capacity.
Its work focuses on three key priorities:
This collaborative approach helps ensure workforce development is informed by real delivery pipelines and future sector needs.
A place-based approach to retrofit social value and local green jobs
A key focus for the group is the development of a place-based social value pilot project.
Rather than suppliers delivering social value activity in isolation, the pilot will explore how coordinated delivery can create greater impact for a specific community by aligning resources, expertise and investment.
Potential benefits include:
By taking a coordinated approach, the pilot will explore how social value can create a lasting legacy that extends beyond individual contracts.
Looking ahead
The housing sector's decarbonisation ambitions can only be achieved if workforce development progresses alongside programme delivery.
Addressing skills shortages, creating employment opportunities and strengthening supply chains will require collaboration across housing providers, suppliers, government and communities.
Through initiatives such as the Housing Growth and Green Skills Alliance, the Green Skills and Workforce Development Group and emerging place-based social value approaches, Fusion21 is helping to build the workforce, skills and partnerships needed to support warm, healthy homes for the future.
Delivering better homes is not just about improving buildings. It is about creating opportunities, strengthening communities and building the workforce needed to deliver housing retrofit and decarbonisation for the long-term.
Find out more about Fusion21's social value approach and how we're creating social value you can see.