Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit

Take your first step into retrofit with a fully-funded qualification.
(Courses start every 2 weeks – Only 25 places available)

This project is fully funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund.

Our vision is a world where every home is warm and low carbon – fit for a future world

Did you know that by 2050, the UK has a legally- binding commitment to be carbon (CO2) neutral? Do you know that over 25% of all CO2 emissions in the UK come from living in our homes – heating them, heating water, cooling them, using our appliances and so on? So it follows that we can’t deliver on the government’s targets if we don’t reduce the amount of wasted heat and power in our homes.

We achieve these savings by insulating our homes properly, by introducing greener heating solutions and renewable energy sources such as solar panels or heat pumps. There are 27 million homes in the UK and the overwhelming majority will need retrofitting over the next 30 years. We currently only do thousands per year. We need an army of retrofitters in both white and blue collar roles to make this a reality.

This qualification is the ideal place to start your retrofit journey. It takes a few days to complete, and it will (as the title suggests) give you a good understanding of what domestic retrofit involves. The qualification is applicable to a wide range of people, including those already working in the sector, those considering joining it and those who are impacted by it.

What is the Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit?

The National Open College Network (NOCN) Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit (UDR) is an Ofqual regulated qualification and the ideal place to start your retrofit journey. It is designed to be accessible to anyone who needs to know about the fundamentals, helping bust the jargon on terms like ‘whole house retrofit’ and ‘fabric first retrofit’. It takes just a few days to complete, and it will (as the title suggests) give you a good understanding of what domestic retrofit involves. The qualification is applicable to a wide range of people, including those already working in the sector, those considering joining it and those who are impacted by it.

  • Careers in Domestic Retrofit

    Retrofit is a new and exciting sector of the economy that should offer rewarding careers for thousands of people. Anybody currently working in this sector or thinking of working in it in the future would benefit from holding the Understanding Domestic Retrofit qualification.

    Here are some of the key occupations in the retrofit sector:

    • Trades: Plastering, Joinery, Carpentry, Rendering, Heat Pump Installer and Solar Panel Installer
    • Professions: Retrofit Advisor, Retrofit Assessor, Retrofit Coordinator and Retrofit Designer

    In addition, there are job roles in sectors such as social housing where this qualification will be valuable. For example, Tenant Liaison Officers, Asset Managers and Energy and Sustainability Officers.

    The government is investing heavily in retrofit projects as it begins to ramp up its decarbonisation drive. Schemes like the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), Local Authority Delivery (LAD) scheme and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund amount to around £2 bn per year.

    Employers in the retrofit sector include local authorities, housing associations, installers, energy companies, contractors and sub-contractors. Many people are also self-employed or set up their own businesses.

    All these job roles will require additional qualifications. However, Understanding Domestic Retrofit is a great place to start your career in the sector.

About the course

The Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit is an induction programme that provides a solid introduction to the installation of whole-house retrofit measures to domestic buildings. It will set you on the path to compliance with the requirements of the PAS 2030 specification, which is necessary for future work in the retrofit sector.

What is the UDR Course?

This course is an important stepping stone for new and existing retrofit professionals who need to acquire a solid understanding of domestic retrofit and PAS 2030 compliance.

It will teach you what domestic retrofit is, how it’s defined, what you need to know when working in the industry, and what to look out for when installing energy efficiency measures in homes.

Who is this course for?

The Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit is open to new and existing retrofit contractors in the UK, as well as those not in education, employment or training.

If you want to enter the domestic retrofit sector but have no previous experience of the industry, the Level 2 Award will give you a comprehensive introduction to whole-house retrofit measures.

Alternatively, you may already have some experience of installing energy efficiency measures in homes but require a more comprehensive understanding of PAS 2030 compliance.

How can I use this qualification?

The Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit will demonstrate your ‘pathway to compliance’ and help improve your employability in the built environment.  It will also provide you with a solid foundation for gaining further qualifications in domestic retrofit.

How do I study and how long does it take?

The Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit is a flexible eLearning course. The seven modules take around 21 hours to complete. Once enrolled, you will have two weeks to work through the eLearning on our bespoke Learning Platform. To help with your eLearning, there are self-tests within each module to help check your understanding as you go.

Following your eLearning, you will attend a one-day tutor-led session via Zoom. It is essential that you complete the eLearning before attending this session. This tutor-led day will conclude with a remotely invigilated end-of course exam.

How will I be assessed?

Course assessment takes place online in the form of a multiple-choice knowledge assessment.  The exam will be remote-invigilated by an NOCN representative and/or a member of The Retrofit Academy CIC Customer Service team.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for a funded place on the course, you need to live or work in Essex. As this funding is being focussed primarily on Harlow and Tendring, applications from those who live or work in those areas may be prioritised.

There are no specific eligibility requirements for the course itself, although if you have a background in energy efficiency or construction you may find the course a little easier.

In order to access the eLearning materials and take the online exam you must also have access to a computer with a reliable internet connection.

How do I enrol?

Applicants can enrol by completing a simple online form.

Apply Now

Fill in our online application form to enrol for a fully-funded place on the Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit. Our next course starts on 14th February 2022 but we also have spaces available for other start dates in March, April and May.

Your new career in retrofit starts here.

The UK Community Renewal Fund is a UK Government programme for 2021/22. This aims to support people and communities most in need across the UK, to pilot programmes and new approaches to build community resilience and prepare for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It invests in skills, community and place, local business, and supporting people into employment.  For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-community-renewal-fund-prospectus

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