Resource

LEAD method summary: Training professionals and communities in retrofit advice

Upskilling people working professionally and in the community to ensure better outcomes for retrofit.

Briefing note

Good practice

Provided by: South West Net Zero Hub

This resource is hosted externally - access it here

Part of: LEAD programme: Local Energy Advice Demonstrator

Topics

Capability and skills Community Public consultation and public engagement Domestic retrofit measures Public awareness

The Local Energy Advice Demonstrator (LEAD) programme trialled innovative approaches for delivering retrofit advice to hard-to-reach groups and hard-to-treat homes. This resource provides a summary of insights into one of the methods trialled by the South West Net Zero Hub within one or several of its six projects.

Training professionals and communities in retrofit advice: How the method works

Retrofit requires specialist knowledge across construction, planning, energy, and community services. To give appropriate advice – especially for traditional buildings – professionals need a holistic understanding of household needs and retrofit measures. Accredited training is essential for roles in PAS 2035 projects and grant-funded schemes like ECO, offering assurance of competence. A specific Level 3 qualification supports advice for traditional buildings. Unaccredited training, such as free webinars and CPD resources developed by LEAD projects, is ideal for roles not requiring formal accreditation, helping ensure advice is informed and appropriate across all contexts.

Consult the full LEAD method summary on training professionals and communities in retrofit advice – linked above and below – for information on why the method works and what you’ll need, as well as accompanying case studies and top tips should you wish to use this method. To finish off, there is also a list of additional resources, such as webinars, online courses, and any other tools or guidance relevant to this method.