Explore renewable technologies at our net zero skills hub
We offer a range of courses that cover topics such as renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, and carbon management. Our instructors are experts in their fields, and provide hands-on training and practical experience to ensure that our students are fully equipped to succeed in this growing industry.
Gain the knowledge and skills necessary to build a rewarding and fulfilling career.
By enrolling on our net zero courses, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to build a rewarding and fulfilling career. We offer courses in: Awareness in environmental technologies, rainwater harvesting, solar thermal, photo voltaic, heat pumps, electric/hybrid vehicle maintenance and repairs.
We are also planning to run course on the following: carbon and climate awareness, ventilation and airtightness and insulation and building fabric.
Green Careers Week
As part of this year's Green Careers Week Michael Huth, Manager of the Net Zero Skills Hub, shares a little bit about his role, what sustainability means to him, and what you can do to help the race to Net Zero this Green Careers Week!
Retrofit Training
Abingdon & Witney College is proud to be a training provider of The Retrofit Academy CIC (Oxon & Bucks), offering Level 2 – Level 5 courses in Domestic Retrofit. These courses are suitable for homeowners and retrofit professionals looking to further develop their skills.
Retrofit advice will provide a pivotal role in delivering the UK’s net zero ambition, giving independent advice to homeowners or residents, with a view to help them understand retrofit and the impact it will have on their property.
- Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit;
- Level 3 Award in Domestic Retrofit Advice;
- Level 4 Award in Domestic Retrofit Assessment; and
- Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management;
The courses are available in person or via flexible eLearning programmes that you can study at your own pace.
For queries or to discuss our Employer services, please email: netzerohub@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
What's new: Pathways into Domestic Retrofit Event
The first 'Pathways into Domestic Retrofit' event at the Net Zero Skills Hub featured four experienced Retrofit professionals who shared their journeys to becoming specialists in their field.
The event was attended by professionals from large property maintenance companies, universities, colleges, installers, councils, and job seekers. The next 'Pathways into Domestic Retrofit' event will take place on 28th February. You can register for it here. If you require more information about the Retrofit courses discussed please contact netzerohub@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
Former graduates of the Retrofit Academy CIC explained how the courses had been an essential part of the process, but that ongoing training onsite is an invaluable part of their ongoing professional development.
Iain Macleod from CWE Consultants spoke about the need for accurate and scientific information for each project which is gathered by the Retrofit Assessor. Thorough investigation and an in-depth understanding of properties from different periods create a data set that the Retrofit Coordinator can then use to create accurate whole house retrofit plans with.
Natsha Ginks from Renovate Green turned her experience from retrofitting her own period property into a career which has enabled her to train others as well as provide retrofit contractors and clients with retrofit coordination and technical services.
Lina Budde-Manning, a Retrofit Advisor at Cosy Homes Oxfordshire explained how during the initial conversation with property owners she conducts an initial assessment of their aspirations and needs. Technical understanding and knowledge about the retrofit process are essential when dealing with retrofit schedules from contractors and installers.
As a Retrofit Installer, Chris Creak from The Nova Team highlighted how the current lack of a consistent retrofit skills training provision requires him to have to shop around for training with manufacturers. While some of it is high quality, this can be hit-and-miss and end up being very costly. He explained that there is a great need for impartial systems training and green skills training provision in our county.
What's new: College launches new Net Zero Skills Hub
In October, Abingdon & Witney College opened their new Net Zero Skills Hub, with a launch event at their Abingdon campus. Attended by over 60 employers and stakeholders including those from the construction, building, building services and sustainability industries, the event was an exciting opportunity to view the new training centre and to hear from experts about the importance of training for solving the climate emergency.
Hosted by Michael Huth, the College’s Net Zero Skills Hub manager, speakers included representatives from Oxford Direct Services (ODS), Lambert Home Builds, and Cosy Homes. A key note speech from Russell Smith, Founder and Director of Retrofit Works, set the scene and highlighted the number of people that need to be trained to work in the net zero arena in the future.
“One of the strengths of further education colleges is the work that they do to support adults to gain the very latest skills training, whether this is to develop an existing career or to start a new one.
The Net Zero Skills Hub is a modern, vibrant training environment for adults with the very latest technology and equipment. Our trainers are experts in their field, recently from industry, who are passionate about passing on their skills and making a real difference.
We are very proud of the investment that the college has made in this important sector and are very much looking forward to our first courses starting.”
- Jacqui Canton, Principal and CEO of Abingdon & Witney College
What's new: Partnership with The Retrofit Academy CIC announced!
This partnership compliments Abingdon & Witney College’s existing Net Zero Skills Hub by enabling us to train new retrofit advisors, assessors and coordinators; all of whom will be needed to help meet the UK Government’s target to make all homes net zero by 2050.
With an estimated 400,000 new people required within the retrofit sector, there will be an abundance of opportunities available for those looking to upskill or undertake a new career.
To help fill this skills gap, our Net Zero Skills Hub offers a blend of online learning, mixed with high quality on-site training, delivered by industry experts, over four different levels of qualification.
The introductory ‘Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit’ provides an easy access to all those interested in the subject. The ‘Level 3 Award in Domestic Retrofit Advice’, alongside level 4 and 5 qualifications, equip all those who want to develop a career in the retrofit industry.
Our partnership aims to train new people from across Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire to become part of the solution, as we support the industry in upgrading and improving millions of homes, reducing our collective impact on the environment, reducing energy use and home heating bills!
What's new: Michael Huth joins our Net Zero Skills Hub
In July 2023, Abingdon & Witney College welcomed Michael Huth to the team. Michael is the new manager of the Net Zero Skills Hub and will oversee expansion of the provision.
Michael’s career has centred around construction, building supplies, renewable and sustainable building materials. For the last 10 years he has been involved in the supply chain for domestic retrofit, and for the past 3 years he has worked for a cooperative that specialises in delivering it.
He has a passion for education and his recent experience of mentoring and training is where his ambition of getting into education was rekindled.
“I enjoyed training staff, mentoring, and championing younger people to be the best at what they were doing.
I want to create relevant and effective training for the construction sector that is sustainable and not just green for the sake of the label. I want it to have a real impact on how we create and maintain buildings.
I also want to help young people discover that Construction is an option for everyone who wants to develop their creative, digital, or engineering skills and to make a difference.
To continue going forward, we need to create an environment that will help enable the right kind of training and skill development. There is a lot we can address through retrofit and through new build.”
Getting Heat Pump Ready
Transitioning from gas to renewable heating
Join us at 'getting heat pump ready', a free and informal opportunity to discuss how to decarbonise domestic heating without creating a whole lot of unnecessary carbon in the process.
January 10th | 3pm – 5pm | Abingdon & Witney College | Abingdon Campus, Wootton Road, Abingdon, OX14 1GG
Introduction to Airtightness and Ventilation
Making our buildings more energy efficient
Join us at an 'introduction to airtightness and ventilation', a free and informal opportunity to discuss how energy improvements to dwellings are interconnected and how measures installed in isolation can create problems.
January 31st | 3pm – 5pm | Abingdon & Witney College | Abingdon Campus, Wootton Road, Abingdon, OX14 1GG
How to become a Net Zero advocate
Tackling the green skills shortage
Join us at 'how to become a Net Zero advocate', a free and informal opportunity to discuss how community groups and low carbon advocates can use their expertise and influence to support the creation of a quality green skills workforce.
February 14th | 3pm – 5pm | Abingdon & Witney College | Abingdon Campus, Wootton Road, Abingdon, OX14 1GG
Pathways into Domestic Retrofit
Curious about a career in Domestic Retrofit?
Join us at 'pathways into domestic retrofit', a free and informal opportunity to explore how you can develop your skill set and business to become a specialist in Domestic Retrofit.
February 28th | 3pm – 5pm | Abingdon & Witney College | Abingdon Campus, Wootton Road, Abingdon, OX14 1GG
Carbon and Climate Literacy
Develop your Carbon Literacy
Join us at 'carbon and climate literacy', a free and informal opportunity to explore how you can develop your understanding of carbon, its impact on our climate, and the actions that you can take (from small to large) to make a difference.
March 13th | 3.30pm – 5.00pm | Abingdon & Witney College | Abingdon Campus, Wootton Road, Abingdon, OX14 1GG
Your future career
Retrofit Advisor
Retrofit Assessor
Retrofit Coordinator
Retrofit Installer
