Introduction: Building Skills for a Sustainable Future
The UK faces twin challenges: cutting emissions and boosting resilience in the built environment. With the built environment accounting for 25% of the country’s carbon emissions and 20% of its energy consumption, retrofit and renewable installations have never been more essential.
Yet the demand for green skills in construction, retrofit, and renewable technologies greatly exceeds supply. To meet current policy goals, such as installing 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028 and tripling solar capacity by 2035, the UK must rapidly scale training and workforce development.
Green skills courses in construction, retrofit and low-carbon technologies are central to preparing people for real jobs in this transition.
1. The Net Zero Skills Demand
Building the green workforce starts with data:
- The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) estimates the UK will need over 250,000 new workers in low-carbon trades by 2028, including insulation installers, retrofit assessors, solar PV engineers and heat pump technicians.
- The Department for Education’s Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) identify retrofit and renewables as top priority training areas, yet many colleges report limited provision and outdated course content.
2. Why Green Skills Courses Matter
a. Bridging the Green Jobs Gap
Green skills courses deliver knowledge that connects directly to employer needs. Traditional construction pathways often lack training on low-carbon solutions such as:
- Air source and ground source heat pumps
- Solar PV systems and battery storage
Specialist green tech skills are required for modern retrofit solutions.
b. Making Learning Practical
Hands-on training around live systems accelerates confidence and competence:
- Constructing live solar PV rigs
- Setting up EV chargers with DC wiring
- Programming smart thermostats and heat pump controls
This is where classroom theory meets real-world application.
c. Supporting Policy and Regulation
Green skills courses must include current standards such as PAS 2035/2030, Part L building regulations, and Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) requirements. Without understanding these frameworks, learners cannot meet compliance or quality assurance standards.
3. Case for Construction, Retrofit & Low Carbon Training
The Retrofit Imperative
Residential retrofit alone requires upgrading over 29 million homes by 2050. Retrofit measures deliver multiple benefits: energy efficiency, improved comfort, and job creation across local communities.
Training courses focused on retrofitting, including low carbon heating, insulation, ventilation and solar integration, are essential to accelerate this work.
Low Carbon Construction Trends
Construction now includes sustainable design and renewable integration. Green jobs are expanding in:
- Solar PV installation
- Air source heat pump fitting
- Ground source heat pump fitting
- Battery system integration
Courses must reflect this reality to keep learners employable.
4. Quantum Training’s Role in Building Skills
Quantum Training delivers a range of specialised green skills courses for construction, retrofit and renewable technology training:
State-of-the-Art Training Facilities
We install low-carbon and retrofit training bays in FE colleges across the UK. These include:
- Heat pump commissioning bays
- Solar PV demonstration rigs
- Electrical ecosystem bays including EV charging and battery storage
These facilities mirror real installations and prepare students for immediate entry into green trades.
Curriculum and Course Design
Working with awarding organisations like NOCN Group and in collaboration with industry, we co-design:
- Short CPD modules on air tightness and renewable technologies
- Skills Bootcamps and Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) aligned with employer requirements
This ensures learning is up-to-date, practical and in line with national apprenticeship frameworks.
Trainer Support
Through our Train-the-Retrofit-Trainer (TTRT) and Train-the-Green-Trainer programmes, we help upskill tutors and teachers in colleges so they can deliver high-quality green skills courses. This includes PAS 2035, fabric-first approaches, and low-carbon system commissioning knowledge.
5. Choosing the Right Green Skills Course
What Learners and Businesses Should Look For:
- Courses with hands-on training bays in real renewable tech
- Accredited content covering heat pumps, retrofit standards, solar PV, EV charging, insulation, and ventilation
- Alignment with industry qualifications and employer needs
Where to Find Courses
- Quantum Training’s Course Catalogue: Co-created with NOCN Group, delivered in partnership with colleges, detailing retrofit, renewable tech and low-carbon pathways
- Global Energy Skills (GES) platform: Offers verified training and career development across the energy sector.
- Skills Bootcamps via NOCN and DfE: Government-funded short courses with accreditation and strong employment links
Explore Quantum Training’s Green Skills Courses and Qualifications
At Quantum Training, we offer a growing portfolio of green skills courses and nationally recognised qualifications to help prepare the UK’s workforce for the low-carbon transition. Our training is built around real-world learning, aligned with government policy and industry needs.
Below is an overview of NOCN courses:
Renewable Energy Courses
- Extended Sustainable Energy and Renewable Technologies (150 Guided Learning Hours)
These courses help learners build practical knowledge in solar PV, heat pump technology, and wider renewables, backed by hands-on training in our state of the art technology bays.
Retrofit Courses & Qualifications
Our retrofit training is aligned with government standards and equips learners with technical understanding of building fabric improvements, insulation, moisture control, and low-carbon systems.
Bootcamps & SWAP Bundles
- Green Skills Bootcamp
- Sector-Based Work Academy Programme (SWAP)
These short, intensive pathways support jobseekers and career changers, offering guaranteed interviews and employer engagement. Ideal for learners looking to quickly enter the retrofit and sustainability workforce.
NOCN Accredited Qualifications
Delivered in partnership with NOCN Group, we offer regulated qualifications in:
- Retrofit Awareness (Level 2)
- Retrofit Installation (Level 3)
- Sustainable Energy Principles (Level 2)
All courses are delivered through a blend of in-class instruction and purpose-built training bays, giving learners the confidence and skills to thrive in a green economy.
Explore all courses and qualifications on NOCN Group’s website
Conclusion
The UK’s journey to Net Zero will be powered by people with green skills. Construction and built environment training must evolve to include retrofit, renewable heating, solar PV, and Electrical Ecosystem.
Green skills courses offer clear pathways into meaningful careers while supporting national targets. At Quantum Training, we invest in training facilities, curriculum design, and instructor development to support colleges in delivering industry-relevant learning.
Quantum’s Mission: Building the UK’s Next Generation of Green Skilled Workers
At Quantum Training, our mission is to help build a future-ready workforce, one equipped with the green skills needed to lead the UK’s transition to Net Zero.
We work closely with further education colleges, local authorities, and employers across the UK to design and deliver practical training in retrofit, low-carbon technologies, and the wider electrical ecosystem. From air source heat pump (ASHP) installations to EV charging and solar PV systems, we provide hands-on learning environments that reflect real industry conditions.
We are in partnership with NOCN Group, a leading UK Awarding Organisation and End Point Assessment Organisation committed to improving the quality of education and skills provision across the UK. NOCN Group’s mission to increase the UK’s productivity and social mobility through high-quality vocational education aligns closely with our own. Together, we ensure that every course is rooted in real-world industry standards and equips learners with nationally recognised qualifications that truly prepare them for the green economy.
Every facility we install is built for impact. Our training bays and demo units are now active in over 5540 colleges across the UK, helping to prepare thousands of learners for jobs that are already in high demand. These aren’t abstract skills, they’re rooted in real-world systems, standards, and technologies already being deployed in homes, buildings, and infrastructure projects across the country.
We believe that colleges play a key role in the Net Zero journey. But to meet the scale of the challenge, they need support in terms of up-to-date training equipment, co-designed curriculum, and skilled trainers who understand modern retrofit. That’s where we come in.
Our goal is to help every learner leave with the confidence, competence, and credibility to make a difference. Whether that’s a young apprentice starting their first job, or an experienced tradesperson retraining for the green economy, we’re committed to helping them get there.
The path to Net Zero runs through every college, every learner, and every retrofit project. At Quantum, we’re proud to be walking that path alongside the sector, with purpose and momentum.
Learn more about our work: www.thequantumgroup.uk.com
Frequently Asked Questions: Green Skills in Construction and the Built Environment
1. What are green skills in construction?
Green skills refer to the knowledge and practical abilities required to support sustainable construction methods, reduce carbon emissions, and meet energy efficiency targets. In construction, these include skills in retrofitting buildings, installing renewable energy systems such as solar PV or heat pumps, and working with low-carbon materials. These skills are critical for meeting the UK’s Net Zero goals and improving the environmental performance of the built environment.
2. Why are green skills important in the UK construction industry?
The UK construction sector is responsible for around 25% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. To reach Net Zero by 2050, the industry needs to adopt more sustainable practices, and that requires a workforce trained in new technologies and approaches. Green skills help ensure buildings are energy efficient, safe, and future-ready. Without them, the UK risks falling short of key climate and housing targets.
3. What jobs require green skills?
Green skills are needed across a wide range of roles, including:
- Retrofit installers
- Heat pump engineers
- Insulation specialists
- Solar PV installers
- Electric vehicle (EV) charging point installers
- Energy assessors
- Site managers and construction supervisors familiar with sustainable building standards
As demand for these roles grows, colleges and training providers are under pressure to prepare learners accordingly.
4. What courses can I take to learn green skills?
Courses vary depending on your career stage. Entry-level learners may take Level 2 or 3 qualifications in retrofit or low-carbon technologies, while existing tradespeople can take short CPD courses or specialist bootcamps. Some of the most in-demand areas include:
- Retrofit Coordination and PAS 2035
- Air Source Heat Pump installation
- Solar PV and battery storage systems
- MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery)
- Energy efficiency in domestic buildings
Quantum Training offers modular and accredited pathways across many of these disciplines.
5. Are green skills courses funded in the UK?
Yes. The UK government supports green skills training through various funding streams, including Skills Bootcamps, the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF), and the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (coming in 2025). These initiatives aim to improve access to training, particularly in sectors driving the green economy. Some courses may also be funded through employer partnerships or local authorities.
6. What is retrofit, and why does it matter?
Retrofit refers to the process of upgrading existing buildings to make them more energy-efficient. This might involve improving insulation, replacing heating systems with low-carbon alternatives, or upgrading windows and ventilation. With over 80% of 2050’s homes already built, retrofitting is essential to reduce emissions, cut energy bills, and meet legal climate targets.
7. How is Quantum Training supporting green skills development?
Quantum Training works with colleges across the UK to install specialist training bays, create industry-aligned curriculum, and run ‘Train the Trainer’ programmes. Our aim is to make green skills accessible, practical, and scalable, so that every learner has the chance to participate in the UK’s transition to a low-carbon future.
