Level 4 Award in Domestic Retrofit Assessment

Gain a fully-funded Retrofit Assessor qualification
(Only 18 Places Available)

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

We’re upskilling Domestic Energy Assessors in Essex to develop their careers by better understanding retrofit

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.

  • What is a PAS 2035 Retrofit Assessor?

    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.

    Career Opportunities

    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.

What does a Retrofit Assessor do?

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:

  • Providing information about the home, to be used by the Retrofit Designer
  • Carrying out an appraisal of the dwelling’s heritage and architectural features
  • Determining the construction and condition of the home, including the building services such as heating, hot water, ventilation, and lighting
  • Identifying any constraints on the building that may prevent any energy efficiency measures (EEMs) being installed
  • Identifying any defects, and structural issues, including damp and mould
  • Identifying any EEMs already installed
  • Carrying out a measured survey of the building and providing a report

Listen to Dr. Richard Fitton, course creator, explain the importance of the course and the benefits of completeing the award in this short video.

About the course

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.

What is the course structure?
The course is made up of nine modules that cover all aspects of retrofit assessment. Each module features extensive learning materials, expert presentations, case studies and activities that are designed to give you an in-depth understanding of both theory and practice.
What are the modules?

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.

How do I study and how long does it take?

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.

How will I be assessed?

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

  • Invigilated multi-choice assessments
  • Property assessment
  • End point assessment and professional discussion
Am I eligible?

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.

How do I enrol?

Applicants can enrol by completing a simple online form.

Apply Now

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.

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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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