Retrofits: A Key Skill for Construction Tradespeople

Retrofits: A Key Skill for Construction Tradespeople

As the UK grapples with soaring energy prices and the urgent necessity to slash carbon emissions to achieve net zero by 2050,, the retrofitting of existing buildings has become essential. 

 What is a Retrofit?

Out with the old, in with the new! Retrofit refers to any improvement work on an existing building which enhances its energy efficiency. Efficiency can be achieved by using renewable energy and ensuring the building retains heat better. By retrofitting, you cut the occupant’s energy costs and reduce the reliance on fossil fuels.

Why Retrofit Skills Are In-Demand

The demand for retrofit skills among construction tradespeople is growing for several reasons:

- Government Initiatives: There are various government programs and incentives aimed at promoting energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, creating more opportunities for tradespeople skilled in retrofitting.

- Economic Benefits: Homeowners are looking to reduce their energy bills, and retrofitting provides a practical solution. Skilled tradespeople can capitalise on this demand.

- Environmental Awareness: As awareness of climate change grows, more people are motivated to make their homes eco-friendly, increasing the need for retrofit expertise.

Helping Homeowners:

Approximately 38% of UK properties were built before 1946,, characterised by poor insulation, draughts, dampness, and condensation. These issues lead to significant energy wastage as heating systems work harder to maintain warmth, driving up costs.

By retrofitting, you’ll help the homeowners address these problems, leading to:

• Reduced Energy Bills: Improved insulation and draught-proofing reduce the energy needed to heat homes, resulting in lower bills.

• Enhanced Comfort and Health: A well-insulated home stays warmer, which can improve overall health and well-being by preventing issues associated with cold living conditions.

• Environmental Benefits: Retrofitting reduces the carbon footprint by minimising energy waste and promoting the use of renewable energy.

Starting Your Retrofit Journey

Between 135,000 and 725,000 net new jobs, could be created by 2030 in low-carbon sectors, such as building retrofits. Learning retrofit skills will open doors in your career!

Why not pick up this skill through helpful courses? They’ll prepare your ability to assess a home’s construction, adaptations, and usage to recommend the most effective measures. Your expertise will ensure that retrofits are done correctly.

Some tradespeople may assume upskilling yourself to work retrofits may be daunting. But these are simple and approachable courses with varying degrees of challenge:

1. Level 3 Award in Introduction to Domestic Retrofit

2. Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Assessment

3. Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency for Older and Traditional Buildings

4. Level 3 Certificate in Domestic Energy Assessment, and Retrofit Assessor Training, (package for new entrants)

5. Retrofit Assessor Training (for existing DEAs)

There may even be opportunities for your studies to be funded!

Retrofit Academy  offer FREE retrofit training courses,! Special funding is also available to ex-service and military personnel through ELCAS,!

Conclusion

Everyone can relate to the cost-of-living crisis in the UK, but performing retrofits is a chance to help people combat this crisis.

Retrofitting is more than just a trend; it’s a necessity for achieving net-zero targets and tackling rising energy costs. For Construction Tradespeople, developing retrofit skills opens up a world of opportunities in an expanding market. By helping homeowners make their properties more energy-efficient, tradespeople are not only contributing to a greener future but also ensuring a healthier, more cost-effective living environment for everyone.

Building an Inclusive and Diverse Work Culture at Your College

Building an Inclusive and Diverse Work Culture at Your College

As we conclude Diversity and Inclusion Month, let’s reflect on the modern approach to inclusivity in the workplace. For colleges, it’s important to set a strong example for students by embracing diversity in a sensitive way. Whilst you may already work hard to ensure an inclusive environment and fair hiring process, there are some factors that you could consider.

The Foundations of Inclusive Hiring Practices:

Unconscious Bias Training

At the heart of an inclusive work culture lies the hiring process. It's here that the commitment to diversity must begin, not as a box-ticking exercise but as a genuine effort to enrich the academic community with a wide array of perspectives and experiences. This involves not only expanding where and how we search for candidates but also scrutinising our interview and selection processes for unconscious biases that might inadvertently favour certain groups over others. Often, these traits aren’t even known to the interviewer.

For information on what to be aware of and, more importantly, how to adapt to change, see the Unconscious Bias Training report.

CIPDs Inclusive Recruitment Guide

Depending on your college’s resources it’s encouraged to take large steps towards accessibility at each stage of a candidate’s application. According to the CIPD's inclusive recruitment guide, this involves more than just non-discriminatory job descriptions. It encompasses structured interviews, diverse hiring panels, and the implementation of equal hiring training programs to mitigate unconscious bias.

Many assume that asking standardised questions to all candidates makes the process equal. However, these questions should be carefully cultivated. Members of staff with the authority to interview candidates should be trained in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Whilst formal training isn’t compulsory, there are many training providers that can educate your teams on this subject.

Training provided by organisations such as Equality and Diversity UK can empower HR professionals and managers to effectively discuss diversity and inclusion with their teams, fostering a culture of openness and continuous improvement.

Cultural Research and Sensitivity

Once hired, the focus shifts to maintaining an inclusive environment that respects and celebrates differences.

More than just acknowledging cultural differences, cultural sensitivity requires active efforts to understand these differences and how they can enrich the college environment. Whilst you cannot be an expert in all cultures, it’s important to be prepared for differences that may come up from candidates and current staff.

Multilingual Resources

Implementing multilingual resources is a step towards this inclusivity. With tools like Microsoft Translator, educational institutions can offer subtitled presentations and translated materials for onboarding support staff, ensuring that language barriers do not hinder anyone’s ability to contribute or belong. These can also be used to aid educators in bypassing some language barriers with non-native English-speaking students.

The Impact of Diversity and Inclusion

Beyond ethical considerations, inclusive environments promote creativity, innovation, and a broader understanding of the world. A diverse and respectful staff of educators is an inspiration for students who will operate in a globalised economy, enhancing their empathy, cultural awareness, and ability to work across differences.

According to the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), being taught by a “same-race” educator can have benefits in your inter-personal relationship, feeling relatable to a role model in education.

Encouraging Regular Feedback and Communication

Through regular feedback sessions, you can continually refine and improve inclusivity efforts. By taking anonymous surveys and encouraging staff and student feedback, your college can continue to grow and develop policies best suited to your workplace. It’s through continued feedback that we keep growing.

Conclusion

Building an inclusive and diverse work culture in colleges and universities is a comprehensive process that extends beyond hiring practices. It requires a commitment to ongoing education, open dialogue, and the implementation of supportive resources. By prioritising inclusivity, institutions can create welcoming environments that not only attract a diverse pool of talent but also prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the wider world.

There’s a lot of ideas you can implement; where will you start?

Thinking About a Change of Career – What About Teaching?

Thinking about a change of career – what about teaching?

Are you experienced in your industry but in need of a change? Maybe you work in construction or as an electrician but you’re now looking for a new challenge. Why not consider teaching and sharing your knowledge and passion onto the next generation? 

According to research from the Department for Education, 45% of people interested in teacher training are ‘career changers’,; moving to teach from their current industry. A lack of experience educating doesn’t need to be a barrier to the right understanding of your career.  

Here’s some advice which could help you make that final decision to move into teaching:

You have “real world” experience

Your practical industry experience can make you a suitable educator with knowledge beyond what it is taught in.

As well as many years “on the job,” you may have mentored apprentices. These interactions have been preparing you for educating others. 

You will be able to teach the students many useful things about construction and bring transferable skills such as organisation and communication. However, it will be important to transfer your experience to the curriculum, ensuring you are educating in line with assessment standards. All of this has to be learnt on the job or through study.

How do I become a lecturer?

If you’re a master of your vocation, Further Education offers a great route into education. Depending on your industry experience, you may be able to go straight into a teaching role if you meet the college’s requirements. However, the easiest way to get into teaching is to complete a Level 3 Award and Training qualification (AET),. Courses are available at training providers across the UK and can take as little as a few weeks to complete.

Key skills needed for a teaching role

Every teacher is unique in their teaching style and methods. However, to be an effective teacher, you will be required to demonstrate a varied set of skills. These include:

·      Good communication skills

·      Patience

·      The ability to inspire a class

·      The ability to be relatable to your students

·      In-depth subject knowledge

These skills can be finessed over time, and with the variety involved in a teaching role, you will gain new skills in return.

Teacher benefits

Of course, the main reason that most people move into teaching is because they want to work with the next generation of students in their profession. It’s particularly rewarding to teach within Further Education as your students have elected to be there and pursue the subject that first inspired you. But there are many other benefits to teaching in further education:

You can move into it gradually. By taking a part-time contract, you can mix the hours with your current role or slow down as you start transitioning to retirement.

Career progression. Your career in education can progress by working your way up in your department and having your eyes on the role you want next. From Technical Assistant to Head of Department they are opportunities to move up the career ladder.

Training support. There are many opportunities for personal development in education. Often, the education provider you work with will fund your further qualifications. In 2022, the UK Government stated that almost 30,000 teachers and leaders started a fully funded National Professional Qualification (NPQ),. If you show your worth, colleges will invest in your future.

Comfortable pension. Careers with FE Colleges, often offer impressive pensions. When applying for a college, it’s worth researching the pension scheme as educators often receive more than the average 3% employer contribution,.

Golden hello. Saved for the highest-achieving educators, to attract them into education from industry. These rare benefits are a one-time incentive payment when you begin your placement. This Golden Hello is offered by some further education providers.

FE teachers are in demand. The FE sector is growing and is constantly looking for skilled professionals to teach the next generation in their profession. As a result, the salary offering can be quite competitive.

Healthy holiday entitlement. Typically speaking, full-time FE lecturers enjoy around 37 days of holiday plus bank holidays. Spend time with family or for yourself, as the term breaks give you extensive time to relax.

So, if you’re looking for job security, a competitive salary and, most importantly, an inspiring career change, moving from industry to teaching may be your next goal.

Contact our team at 0203 011 0044 to discuss your options and our current opportunities.

Tackling the Transition from Tradesperson to Teacher

Tackling the Transition from Tradesperson to Teacher

Tradespeople are often the best educators. Not only can they pass onknowledge and skills from the industry, but “real world experience” and “tried and tested” techniques too. People coming from trades into teaching also play an important role in filling the skills gap. According to the 2023 Trade Skills Index,, the UK needs 937,000 new recruits in building and construction trades over the next ten years to meet the ever-growing demand needed by 2032 and the educators to prepare them.

So, You’ve Decided To Move Into Education. But What Can You Expect in The First Term? 

A Change of Pace 

While your adjustment should be smooth, the changes in scene and responsibilities will be noticeable. Moving into education from a trade requires not just new daily tasks but a shift in mindset. You are no longer working at your own pace, but your students, too. You’ll likely soon experience the benefits of this symbiotic relationship with your class, but here are a few handy guidelines for that change of pace:

1 – Stay Adaptable

Flexibility is key to adjusting to the pace and needs of your students. Changes are common in colleges, so adaptability is crucial. Don't aim for a rigid schedule every week; learn to be flexible and go with the flow.

2 – Master Your Craft

Get acquainted with the curriculum content and what is expected ahead of time so there’s no surprises. The right lesson plan can make all the difference!

3 – Collaborate

From day one, go out of your way to make new connections, the fellow educators at your college who have been through it before or the students themselves who can help you learn the best way to reach them.

The Mentor-Mentee Dynamic

As a tradesperson, you may have experienced mentorship when training apprentices. In the classroom, this experience intensifies as you forge individual learning methods for your apprentices. This dynamic offers the chance to lead by example and provide the support necessary for students to flourish. You will learn a lot about each other and have apositive influence over the approaches those students take.

Continuing Professional Development

When lecturing, you will have the ability to move up into higher academic roles if you show interest and are passionate about this career.

You will also begin learning about your own skills and developing new ones. It’s important to reflect on your abilities and take advantage of courses and workshops, that specialise in resources for adult educators. 

The new skills you learn bode well for future job applications and can open doors to new roles. For example, you can develop Technician experience into Lecturing and, before long, entering faculty roles as the Head of Department or even Vice Principal / Principal if you keep going. 

With so many options for career progression, the only reason to stop is when you’re satisfied.

Engaging with the Larger Education Community

Participate in education conferences,, collaborate with peers, and become active in community initiatives. Engaging with the wider education community amplifies your impact, and connects you with a diverse network of passionate educators and like-minded ex-tradespeople.

One of the greatest gifts you can give as a teacher is the love of learning. 

Transitioning from a tradesperson to a lecturer is not just about embarking on a new career path — it's about passing on your craft and shaping the next generation. With correct planning and research, entering the world of education can be a comfortable transition. If you’re interested in passing down your knowledge and working in further education, call us today on 0203 011 0044. With the help of our consultants, you can take on this new direction with our support every step of the way.

The Steps You Can Take With an Education Recruitment Agencies

The steps you can take with an Education Recruitment Agency

As a teacher, finding the perfect role can be challenging, especially when there are so many options and often heavy competition. This is where you can benefit from having a teammate, a consultant who fights in your corner and ensures you get access to a network of available roles. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of applying to an education recruitment company all the way to landing your perfect job. Working with the right team can make finding a career entertaining, informative, and, most importantly, successful!

Initial Application:

The first step is to send in your CV, and make an initial phone call. Our team of recruiters will assess your CV and find suitable roles for you. Once you’re on our record, you’ll be made aware of our vast portfolio of schools and colleges that need passionate and committed teachers. Due to our long-term relationships with education providers, we can introduce you to roles that are not being advertised externally, giving you a wider range of job opportunities to consider.

Giving you a boost from the start:

Once we have assessed your CV and found suitable roles for you, we will discuss CV advice and cover letter ideas. We understand the best ways to leave an impression, and we want you to thrive in your first interview. To further help with this, we’ll often schedule a telephone interview with the manager of the school or institution. This call will provide you with an opportunity to speak directly with the hiring manager and get more information about the position. Our recruiters will provide guidance on how to prepare for this call so you can put your best foot forward and impress the hiring manager.

The Interview:

After this first call, we’ll work with you to schedule an in-person interview at the school or organisation. Our team will offer you interview preparation advice, providing you with any relevant information about the role, the organisation, and what to expect during the interview. We also understand common interview questions along with the best approaches to them. What should you answer to them? What should you ask them? No problem!

Sealing The Deal:

Once you have completed your interview, we will follow up with the school hiring manager and provide feedback on how you performed. If successful, we will guide you through the job offer process and ensure any requirements you’ve previously asked for are negotiated in the offer. However, our services don't just end here! After placement, we make regular check-in calls to ensure your job satisfaction, share useful resources online, and support your transition into your new dream role.

Working with a teacher recruitment company opens new paths to jobs whilst streamlining the process at the same time. No matter your level of experience in educator interviews, the application process and the needs of hiring managers are constantly evolving. It always helps to have a team of recruitment specialists with updated knowledge to work with you.

Our services include introducing you to roles that are not being advertised externally, preparing you for interviews, providing advice, and following up after the placement. It is our mission to make your search enjoyable and efficient.

Interested and ready to start? Upload your CV or, alternatively, get in touch with us!

Influencers in Education: The Future of Education Resources

Whilst the internet is a big source of fashion and easy entertainment, some influential people and platforms actually offer a new way to gain teaching resources and inspire dynamic lesson plans. With the right online content, education and sharing helpful ideas are always at the forefront.

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, internet personalities have emerged as key figures who wield significant influence on shaping trends, societal perspectives, and access to information. While often associated with fashion, lifestyle, or entertainment, a new wave of content creators has erupted from further education, targeting students, aspirants, and the academic community.

YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and blogs are being reclaimed as tools for learning to share knowledge and experiences. They provide a more relatable, personalised, and often entertaining approach to education, resonating with the younger generation that is accustomed to seeking information through online channels.

Moreover, these influencers and creators often collaborate with educational institutions, organisations, and brands to provide you with other helpful and high-quality resources. The following list just scratches the surface of what influencers and educational you can find online:

BBC Teach,: Available on YouTube; & Twitter / X, the BBC provides a variety. From educational resources & classroom topics to interviews and discussions on the lives of teachers (in and outside of class). This impartial and highly produced channel creates content highlighting stories of personal growth, career progression, and inspiring tales from around the world, all available in binge-able videos of 4 minutes or less.

Simon Clark,: Available on YouTube,, Tik Tok, & Twitch,. With a PhD in atmospheric physics, Simon is a voice for the scientific community. Whether you want to brush up on your knowledge of Climate Change or want to send students a quick revision tool on positive uses for AI, Simon makes science seem easy. He utilised YouTube to discuss academic life, scientific discoveries, and navigating the challenges of higher education.

The StudyTube Project,: A collective term for a group of YouTubers who banded together during the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure everyone had free access to Educational material and the freedom to learn at their own pace. Including figures like Eve Bennett,, UnJaded Jade,, and Jack Edwards,, filled the channel with information, study routines, and advice for students. They discuss topics from exam preparation to mental health and university life. Whilst the channel is no longer active, the videos are still available and many of the creators have continued successful influencer and educational careers.

Twinklsend,: Available on YouTube,, TikTok, & Twitter / X,. Where a large majority of content regarding SEN may be humbling and sombre, Twinkl promotes a positive and creative approach to the world of Special Education Needs. The perfect place to find tips and tricks for SEN students & Teachers. Twinkl’s TikTok is colourful, fun and has a wealth of information for up-and-coming SEN teachers who want to learn more about the intricacies and variety in SEN students.

With help from these talented creatives, you and your students can access worlds of information and bite-size material. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the role of these influencers is likely to expand. Their ability to adapt to new platforms and technologies, coupled with their capacity to cater to the ever-changing needs of students, positions them as pivotal figures in shaping the future of education.

In conclusion, the emergence of influencers in education brings an infinite library of educational and supportive videos whilst creating social hubs to engage with other academics. We welcome this refreshing approach to traditional learning methods and enriching the academic journey for many. As they continue to navigate this unique space, we hope you explore it with us.