Level 2 Award
in Understanding Domestic Retrofit

The Retrofit Academy CIC is at the heart of delivering leading-edge training and professional development to a new generation of retrofit professionals in the UK, we are the driving force of retrofit knowledge and skills.

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

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 and providing energy for our homes?

Did you also know that the UK has some of the oldest, draughtiest housing stock in the country?

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. Over the next 30 years, we are going to do lots of this too! There are 27 million homes in the UK and the overwhelming majority will need retrofitting. 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.

  • 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 National Open College Network (NOCN) Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit (UDR) is an Ofqual regulated qualification.

If you’re new to the world of domestic retrofit, it will give you a comprehensive and easy to follow introduction to whole-house retrofit. If you have some experience of energy efficiency projects already, it will build your knowledge to give you the bigger picture of domestic retrofit.

Learners will gain an understanding of what domestic retrofit is, what it is supposed to achieve, what you need to know when working in the industry, and what to look out for when installing energy efficiency measures in homes.

The course is designed to improve the employability of learners. Employers are increasingly seeking staff who understand the fundamentals of retrofitting.

Course Content

The NOCN Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit builds on The Retrofit Academy’s expertise in retrofit training and has been developed by some of the UK’s leading experts in retrofit.

It features seven eLearning modules with extensive, interactive teaching materials, and self-tests to check your understanding along the way.

  • Busting all the jargon, introducing key concepts like Fabric First and Whole House Retrofit.

  • Getting to grips with the different types of information and documents used in retrofit projects.

  • Understanding the current legislation relating to domestic retrofit, how to respond to and report emergencies and workplace accidents and how to identify and report risks and hazards.
  • Becoming familiar with the types of materials used in domestic retrofit projects and how to ensure they are up to standard.
  • Everything you need to know to minimise risks in the workplace and dispose of waste properly.
  • Understand the basic principles of domestic retrofit, including pre-installation requirements, installation details and installation problems.
  • An overview of installation methods, including internal and external solid walls, cavity walls, roofs, suspended and solid floors and windows and doors.

Methods of Study and Course Costs

The Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit is a flexible eLearning course that you can study at your own pace. The seven modules take around 21 hours to complete and you can either complete these over the course of three days or study at a pace that suits you, your lifestyle and commitments. Once enrolled, you will have six months to complete the course.

To help you 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.

In order to access the eLearning materials and take the online exam, you must have access to a computer with a reliable internet connection. Learners who successfully pass the exam will receive a certificate for the Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit from NOCN, an Ofqual-regulated Awarding Body.

  • You can complete the course over a three day period, followed by a one-day tutor-led session.

  • The qualification is assessed via an online multiple-choice exam. This formal exam is remotely-invigilated by a representative from The Retrofit Academy training team and the Awarding Body (NOCN).
  • There no specific eligibility requirements, 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 have access to a computer with a reliable internet connection.

This course costs £595 plus VAT*

*Pay in three interest free monthly installments

Apply Now

If you are ready to enrol for the Level 2 Award simply click “Apply Now” below to start the process.

Join us in shaping the future of retrofit today.

T: 0330 055 7629
E: info@retrofitacademy.org
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Stafford Road, Stafford, ST18 9AB

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