The Housing Forum has responded to the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee’s inquiry on how to build the workforce needed to deliver the policies and infrastructure for the UK’s clean, secure energy mission.

This is an area of key concern to us at The Housing Forum. In 2024, our Futures Network produced three podcasts and resources aimed at young peoplecareer changers, and employers. They also made a short sizzle video aimed at attracting people into the sector.

In our response to the Committee, we have highlighted views from across our membership that we do not have sufficient skilled workers to deliver the Clean Energy Mission in terms of building new homes that are zero-carbon ready and retrofitting existing homes, with particularly acute shortages around heat pump engineers, building safety experts and planners.

The Committee was interested in what the Government can do to help and The Housing Forum has recommended the following:

  • Investment in education and training, with a particular focus on the FE sector

  • A focus on mid-career switchers, who may be keen to retrain for careers in growing sectors

  • Supporting industry with a range of initiatives to attract and train people

  • Cross-departmental work to modernise the housebuilding sector, including off-site construction

We also urge DESNZ to work closely with other government departments to ensure that all funding streams are in place for the long-term and that the timetables for submitting funding applications and for spending the funds are long-term. This allows funding recipients cost-effective procurement and gives contractors time to recruit and train the workforce required.

Read our response in full
Date:
A Quality Home for All

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