This project is fully funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund.
The Retrofit Academy is the UK’s leading developer and provider of domestic retrofit courses and qualifications. We are at the heart of the industry, shaping, sharing and advancing retrofit best practice. We have trained over 1700 Retrofit Coordinators nationwide to comply with the requirements of BSI PAS 2035 – the new standard that is putting quality at the heart of the energy efficiency sector. Our vision is a world where every home is warm, healthy and low carbon.
One of the most important roles in the PAS process is that of the Retrofit Assessor. The PAS requires a step-change in the way in which we conduct surveys and collect data about people’s homes. We know that bad retrofit always starts with bad assessment and we want to ensure that happens by training people appropriately.
It is therefore necessary to upskill Domestic Energy Assessors to better understand retrofit and ensure they are skilled to carry out the task to the required standards. That is why we have developed the Open College Network West Midlands Level 4 Award in Retrofit Assessment. Working with leading experts, we have created an entirely new course that should transform your knowledge and skills in this field. It is entirely aligned with PAS 2035 and the Retrofit Coordinator qualification.
This is the right course for you if you want to develop a career as a PAS 2035 Retrofit Assessor – if you want to be part of the change and do it right.
The Retrofit Assessor will play a key role as the UK reduces its carbon emissions by improving energy efficiency and retrofitting many of 27 million homes. The role of the Retrofit Assessor is laid out in PAS 2035; the standard to which the professional roles involved in retrofit projects have to work. Their job is to visit properties and carry out the survey that is required to inform the decision making about what measures should be installed. Working under the supervision of a Retrofit Coordinator, this will involve assessing the condition, occupancy and significance of the building in line with the PAS.
Retrofit Assessors work in a range of organisations such as housing associations, local authorities, energy and utility companies and specialist retrofit companies. Many are self-employed or setup their own businesses. The role might vary depending on the organisation, but in all organisations Retrofit Assessors conduct an assessment of a property and provide the Retrofit Coordinator and or Designer with the data required to make informed decisions about retrofit measures.
Retrofit Assessors typically earn salaries of £18k – £25k when training. With experience and once qualified, they can expect salaries of £25k – £50k. There are also career progression routes within the retrofit sector, such as Retrofit Coordinator, subject to further training.
The role of a Retrofit Assessor is to survey properties and prepare a report in-line with a Retrofit Coordinator’s requirements. This is one of the most important roles in the PAS 2035 process, practically everything the Assessor does is relied on by others to help them make important decisions. Assessors carry a great deal of responsibility. If the assessment is flawed, others in the retrofit process are likely to get things wrong.
The role involves:
Listen to Dr. Richard Fitton, course creator, explain the importance of the course and the benefits of completeing the award in this short video.
This course will equip you with the knowledge and skills required to build on your DEA qualification and prepare you to carryout retrofit assessments in line with PAS 2035 requirements. Successfully completing the course leads to the Level 4 Award in Domestic Retrofit Assessment. It is a blended learning approach, which means the knowledge content is delivered through eLearning and a half day bootcamp, where there will be a specialist tutor on hand to answer any questions. There’s also a virtual assessment of a property, followed by the completion of a report based on a Retrofit Academy assessment report template. This is to help prepare you for the end assessment.
Module 1 PAS 2035 and retrofit assessments
Gives an overview of PAS 2035 and how this impacts on the Retrofit Assessor’s role. It also covers the roles and responsibilities of others in the PAS 2035 retrofit process.
Module 2 Context of dwellings
‘Context of Dwellings’, is, in essence, looking at the areas that need to be addressed in preparation for carrying out a retrofit assessment. So, knowing what you need to have in order to do the assessments, as well as the information that will underpin them.
Module 3 Assessing the condition of a dwelling and recording any defects
This is the assessment of the condition of the dwelling and includes the recording of defects. It is critical that defects, including leaks and cracks, are addressed prior to the installation of new measures.
Module 4 The requirements of occupancy assessments
The occupancy of a dwelling; the number of people who live there, ages, lifestyle patterns, etc. is a key part in the successful planning of a retrofit. The occupants are often incorrectly left out of the process, so it is important this information is recorded.
Module 5 Ventilation requirements of a dwelling
Ventilation is an essential requirement for any home. It is needed to ensure there is fresh air for breathing, as well as for removing and reducing pollutants in the home. Adequate ventilation will also help to control the amount of moisture in the air and thus reduce the risk of condensation and problems such as mould growth. So, the key to a healthy home is a functional ventilation strategy, and for a design to facilitate this, a comprehensive understanding of a dwelling’s existing ventilation system should be recorded by the Assessor.
Module 6 Energy performance of a dwelling
This module covers estimating energy usage and cost, and carbon dioxide emissions using industry models, such as the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) or the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP). A Retrofit Assessor should be familiar with the use of SAP or PHPP software to support their work.
Module 7 Significance of a dwelling
This module covers the classification of a building, i.e. ‘traditional’ or ‘protected’ and reporting on its age, built form, setting and so on.
Module 8 Retrofit assessment reports
This module includes a virtual retrofit assessment of a domestic dwelling, including being able to inspect for defects. Followed by the completion of the assessment report.
Module 9 Retrofit advice to customers
PAS 2035 spells out what retrofit advice needs to be provided on a project, and by whom, so this module sets out what the Retrofit Assessor’s responsibilities are in this respect.
This course is delivered through our blended learning approach, which is both e-learning and virtual bootcamp.
There are 25 guided learning hours plus assessments to complete. You can expect to need 60 hours across the six-week duration of the course.
When you sign up to the course you will get access to The Retrofit Academy Learner Management System; our state of-the-art eLearning platform through which the course is delivered. Over the first two weeks, learners complete the eLearning. This is followed by an online Bootcamp with one of our tutors. Learners then complete three property reports over the following month before completing an End Point Assessment.
All learners are assigned one of The Retrofit Academy’s assessors, who will provide guidance and feedback on all of your assignments. All assessors are experienced in the retrofit industry and handpicked for their experience and expertise.
The course is assessed via
As a regulated qualification, the Level 4 Award in Domestic Retrofit Assessment has some specific eligibility criteria. The minimum requirement for all methods of study is a Level 3 Domestic Energy Assessor qualification.
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.
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.
Applicants can enrol by completing a simple online form.
If you are ready to enroll for the Level 4 Award in Domestic Retrofit Assessment simply click “Apply Now” below to start the process. Please have your qualification certificates to hand as we will need a digital copy as proof of eligibility.
Join us in shaping the future of retrofit today.
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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This award is looking for the best large projects demonstrating energy savings, increased comfort and health outcomes.
This award recognises and rewards retrofit professionals who excel in retrofit coordination.
This award is looking for the individual assessor or company that has done the most to engage customers and drive the retrofit agenda.
This award is looking for the individual installer or company that has done the most to engage customers effectively and drive the retrofit agenda.
This award is looking for the best small projects demonstrating energy savings, increased comfort and health outcomes.
This award is looking for the best social landlord (housing association, local authority or ALMO) retrofit client of the year. This will be an organisation who has demonstrated their commitment to decarbonising their housing stock, improving residents’ health and life chances.
This award is looking for the newest individual to the sector that has made the greatest contribution to low carbon retrofit in the last 12 months (up to and including December 2021).
This award is looking for the individual that has done the most to promote the retrofit agenda to customers.
The judges will be looking for evidence of:
• Successful engagement with the general public leading to better-informed retrofit clients
• Successful marketing leading to increased uptake of retrofit
• Evidence of adopting PAS 2035 key principles and articulating these to potential customers
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To become a retrofit coordinator you need to have a qualification in a built environment subject that is at least Level 3 with a minimum of 12 credits (your credits should be detailed on your certificate). Level 3 qualifications are equivalent to an A Level certification. If you hold a university degree relevant to the built environment this would also meet the entry requirements for this course.
If you don’t hold a relevant Level 3 qualification or above you may be eligible to enroll in a pre-assessment with The Retrofit Academy to ensure you meet the academic standards required for the course. Failing this, you would need to attain the relevant qualifications.
Our fast-track learning option is ideal for quickly training your team, to get them ready to be able to work on retrofit projects within 4-6 months of accreditation. Using a bespoke mix of eLearning, bootcamps and seminars, this retrofit coordinator training can be designed to meet the needs of your business. As well as learning essential skills and knowledge, cohorts will benefit from networking with peers, and will gain a deeper understanding of energy efficiency and whole house retrofit.
This option is for self-organised learners but includes additional support from our expert tutors, and is backed up by an intensive two-day online bootcamp offering a comprehensive overview of the key learning objectives of the course.
Working in groups via Zoom, bootcamps are a great way for students to understand the fundamentals of Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management, and appreciate the importance of the coordinator role.
This option is designed for chartered professionals who are comfortable managing their own learning and wish to study at their own pace.
The course consists of 12 training modules assessed via a mix of multiple choice questions and written assignments; all accessed via our Online Learning Platform.
All teaching and assessment is completed online at the student’s convenience and you have 12 months in which to complete the course. Although no teacher-led lessons are involved, students will have support from an Online Mentor and Tech Support to ensure everything flows smoothly.
The new PAS 2035 standard works alongside the PAS 2030: 2019 standard, and introduces a set of criteria that must be met to ensure the consistent delivery of domestic retrofit in the UK.
It means that the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), Local Authority Delivery Scheme (LADs), and Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) sectors must fully comply with its specifications. Schemes such as the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) will also comply.
PAS 2035 represents a strong commitment to improving the energy efficiency of domestic buildings in the UK. It was designed in response to the UK government’s Each Home Counts Review, which was a comprehensive review of home energy efficiency. One major outcome of the review was the call for an industry-wide Code of Practice, which became PAS 2035.
The retrofit assessor’s role is to gather information about the building that is the subject of retrofit work. Domestic retrofit assessments are very wide-ranging and include factors such as the building’s construction, structure, and architectural features. The assessment will also consider the building’s current condition, including any structural defects, and issues such as leaks, condensation and mould buildup. Current installations such as heating and hot water, lighting, and ventilation will be documented. Any protected status, conservation restraints, or planning permission requirements will be investigated before work can begin.
The retrofit assessor must also take into account information regarding the number of building occupants and special considerations including the presence of vulnerable people, or people with disabilities.
One of the key roles emerging from PAS 2035 is the role of the retrofit coordinator. Retrofit coordinators ensure that all elements of domestic retrofit are properly managed and coordinated, and that a cohesive retrofit plan is designed and implemented. For more information on the role of the retrofit coordinator and how to gain the necessary training and certification, see our page on Retrofit Coordinator Training.
In order to become PAS 2030 certified your business will need to demonstrate that you use a PAS-compliant Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure you have the correct processes in place to deliver consistent customer satisfaction and retrofit implementation.
Your installers will need to have relevant qualifications and competencies; each team will require a qualified retrofit professional, and one member will need to hold an NVQ . PAS 2030 certification requires you have up-to-date health and safety certification, and you will also need to comply with PAS 2035 when assessing and designing retrofit plans.
A technical assessment of one of your energy efficiency installations will need to be carried out, and any compliance issues be addressed before you receive certification. An approved certification body like The Retrofit Academy will need to carry out the PAS 2030 assessment and certification.
PAS 2030: 2019 (which replaced PAS 2030: 2017) concerns the commissioning, installation, and handover of domestic retrofit projects.
PAS 2030: 2019 has been redeveloped to work alongside PAS 2035. Both documents should be seen as working together to create a single cohesive approach to domestic retrofit. Taken together, PAS 2030 and PAS 2035 lay down the steps all domestic retrofit projects should follow to gain compliance, and ensure consumer satisfaction in accordance with the recommendations of the Each Home Counts Review.
PAS 2035 is a specification for what is called ‘whole-house’ or ‘whole building’ retrofit; this is an approach to the installation of energy efficiency measures (EEMs) which takes into account the requirement of the entire building; both from a technical standpoint, and considering factors like occupancy comfort.
PAS 2035 is concerned with assessing domestic dwellings for energy retrofit. This involves identifying areas where improvements can be made and specifying and designing the relevant improvement measures. It is also concerned with the monitoring of domestic retrofit projects.
PAS 2035 is to be used in conjunction with PAS 2030: 2019, which sets out the standards required for installing EEMs.
PAS’ stands for ‘publicly available specification’, and the number ‘2035’ refers to the government’s target date to raise as many homes as possible to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C. The average EPC for housing in the UK is currently Band D.