The South London Partnership has successfully secured significant funding to initiate a transformative project aimed at establishing a comprehensive retrofit skills action plan for the region.

This project, made possible by the Greater South East Net Zero Hub on behalf of the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, focuses on creating a sustainable plan to address the critical need for retrofitting skills in South London.

Comprising six London Boroughs – Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton, and Wandsworth – the South London Partnership aims to decarbonise over 635,000 properties in the region. Achieving this goal over the next decade would necessitate approximately 66,250 person-years to execute the necessary interventions for retrofitting homes, a significant step towards meeting London’s 2030 Net Zero targets.

Addressing the Retrofit Challenge

The initial phase of the project will allocate funds to craft a comprehensive retrofit skills action plan. This plan will strategically identify essential skills and interventions required to facilitate the rapid and large-scale decarbonisation of homes in South London.

Subsequently, the project will escalate engagement with the supply chain, revamp further and higher education curricula to equip individuals for upcoming green jobs. It will also implement innovative pilot programmes focused on retrofit skills enhancement.

Polly Persechino, Retrofit Skills Project Lead at South London Partnership, emphasises the significance of this endeavour, stating, “To ensure that our residents and businesses are equipped with the skills required to harness this opportunity, we need a joined-up plan of action to address any skill deficits and ensure we have a talent pipeline ready to decarbonise our buildings.”

Additionally, the project involves key stakeholders such as contractors, social landlords, local authorities, educational institutions, urban planners, and policymakers. Their collective input aims to align efforts and resources towards meeting ambitious national and local Net Zero targets.

Businesses and organisations within the construction, building, and development sectors, along with housing associations, may also participate in the South London Retrofit Survey to outline their specific skill requirements.