Building tomorrow’s workforce: Overcoming the skills shortage in Retrofitting

The job market is constantly fluctuating in today’s economy, and the main challenge are skills shortages. The issue has become a growing concern among employers as well as people who are seeking jobs. As COVID-19 restrictions eased in 2021, there was a demand for labour work. It was recorded that the pressure for these skills reached its highest in the last 23 years. However, the available workforce to fill these job positions decreased at the most rapid rate since 2017. 

The Green Skills Gap 

Beyond the shortages in traditional manual labour, there’s a gap in emerging green industries, often referred to as the “green skills gap.” This term encapsulates the shortage of qualified professionals equipped with the necessary skills to meet the demands of job opportunities arising from sustainable initiatives. The World Economic Forum reports an 8% annual increase in green jobs globally over the past five years. Despite this positive trajectory, a substantial challenge persists – a shortage of employees and candidates possessing the requisite green skills.  

For example, the UK anticipates a need for 400,000 workers to support the growth of new energy industries. However, reports indicate a shortfall of approximately 200,000 professionals possessing the essential knowledge and skills required for these positions. 

Skill Gaps in Retrofit 

The “Foresighting Skills for Net Zero” report reveals that the UK’s education system and the broader sector are underprepared for the retrofit revolution required to achieve net zero by 2050. To meet this ambitious target, the home retrofit market must decarbonize eight homes per minute for the next 29 years, necessitating substantial growth and change in the supply chain.  

The construction skills shortage has significantly impacted retrofit plans, causing a delay in upgrading 19 million homes. Approximately 400,000 builders and retrofit professionals are required for the upgrade of cold and draughty homes in the UK. However, the current workforce falls short, with only 250,000 individuals engaged in maintaining and upgrading homes, and fewer than 3,000 retrofit coordinators. Projections indicate a need for approximately 50,000 retrofit coordinators by 2030. 

Our Solution: Metaverse Learning’s new Retrofit immersive learning program 

To tackle the skills shortages in Retrofit, we have developed a new immersive learning program. Our program gives learners the opportunity to gain the skills required to retrofit a building in a simulated, real-life environment. It also provides learners with the knowledge about the processes involved in the assessment, design and installation of a range of existing residential building types to enhance energy efficiency. 

Discover Metaverse Learning’s new Retrofit program and wide range of immersive learning experiences.