Record number of retrofitting enrolments in 2022

There has been significant progress in the number of participants in the Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB) and Retrofit upskilling and reskilling programmes.

Since the first of a number of Centres of Excellence in retrofitting skills (including NZEB skills) opened in 2020 the number of workers availing of these opportunities has steadily increased. Enrolments rose from 363 to 793 in 2021 to a record 2,034 in 2022. This is an increase of 118% between 2020 and 2021, and a 156% increase between 2021 and 2022.

With the opening of the Education and Training Board?Centres of Excellence, the capacity for workers looking to upskill in the area of Green Skills is there. As demand for retrofit increases, and to meet the Government target to retrofit 500,000 homes by 2030, there will be significant employment opportunities. Anyone in the construction trade is encouraged to get on board and help build warmer, more energy efficient homes.

Last year’s target to retrofit 27,000 homes was met and this year’s target is to aim to retrofit 37,000 homes.