August 2024
The Verdancy Group are excited to announce that the Understanding Domestic Retrofit qualification has officially been awarded an SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) Level 5 rating.
The Integrated Regional Employability and Skills (IRES) programme within the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal funded the project’s development, ensuring that the skills and training opportunities created are aligned with regional economic priorities, enhancing the employability of individuals and directly addressing the skills gaps identified within the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region and beyond.
This award directly responds to the pressing need for localised solutions in the push towards sustainability. Scottish Government aims to have at least 35% of homes heated through low or zero-emission systems by 2032 and to become Net Zero by 2045. Scotland’s housing stock, with its unique characteristics ranging from historic tenements to rural cottages, presents specific energy efficiency and retrofitting challenges. This qualification will contribute to filling the existing skills and curriculum gaps needed to accelerate Scotland’s journey to a more sustainable future.
Susan McSeveney, The Verdancy Group said:
“At The Verdancy Group, we are committed to equipping our workforce with the skills needed to address Scotland’s unique retrofitting challenges, a critical component of our journey towards Net Zero The SCQF Level, 5 rating of our Understanding Domestic Retrofit qualification, represents a key milestone in ensuring these vital skills are recognised and standardised. This qualification empowers individuals and communities to contribute to Scotland’s Net Zero ambitions actively, supporting the transformation of our diverse housing stock into energy-efficient homes of the future.”
Professor Sean Smith, Director – Centre for Future Infrastructure, University of Edinburgh and IRES Board Member said:
“Such national recognised qualifications are keystones in supporting mass delivery of the construction sector’s retrofit ambitions, underpinning workforce skills recognition and employer needs”
Key Features of the Qualification:
- SCQF Level 5 Rating: The SCQF Level 5 rating ensures this qualification is recognised and standardised across Scotland and internationally, providing clear benchmarks for the knowledge and skills acquired. This can support educational and career progression by making qualifications comparable and transferable.
- Focus on Localised Domestic Retrofit: Tailored to Scotland’s unique housing stock, this qualification equips learners with practical skills for enhancing energy efficiency in local homes. Focusing on Scotland-specific retrofitting needs supports national climate goals and prepares a skilled workforce for the challenges of domestic retrofit across our communities.
- Accessibility: As an SCQF Level 5 qualification, it is designed to be accessible to a broad spectrum of learners. It provides an excellent progression pathway for those already engaged in the construction and domestic trade sectors.
- National/local impact: This qualification is instrumental in advancing the goals of the wider Edinburgh South East Scotland City Region Deal, particularly in driving Scotland’s transition to a low-carbon economy whilst accelerating local economic growth. Equipping learners with essential retrofitting skills tailored to Scotland’s diverse housing stock, strengthens regional workforce development and directly supports the nation’s climate objectives.
For more information or to enrol today, please visit our course: Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit
NOTES TO EDITORS
- About The Verdancy Group:
The Verdancy Group, based in West Lothian, Scotland, specialises in sustainability education and training. It empowers organisations, educators, and communities to adopt sustainable practices. The group offers courses tailored to sectors like education and construction, focusing on critical areas such as achieving Net Zero, in this instance those with a role within the retrofit and heat decarbonisation of Scotland’s Built Environment. Through their programmes, they aim to foster a culture of environmental responsibility, equipping learners with the knowledge needed to drive positive change
2. About the Edinburgh South East Scotland City Region Deal
The Edinburgh and Southeast Scotland City Region Deal is a transformative investment partnership between the UK and Scottish governments, along with regional partners, designed to drive economic growth across the region. This £1.5 billion investment programme focusses on key areas including Innovation, Culture, Housing, Transport, and Skills. A key component of this initiative is the Integrated Regional Employability and Skills (IRES) Programme, which aims to tackle skills shortages, particularly in high-growth sectors and create better employment opportunities for those who live and work in the region.
3. About Scottish Credit and Framework (SCQF)
The SCQF Partnership is an independent, charitable organisation that maintains and develops Scotland’s National Qualifications Framework. It collaborates with various awarding bodies, professional organisations, and programme owners to ensure a broad spectrum of learning is recognised within the framework, benefiting learners of all ages and abilities. The SCQF helps individuals access appropriate education and training throughout their lives by assigning levels to qualifications based on difficulty and awarding credit points to reflect learning. This framework supports lifelong learning, enabling easier comparison and transfer of qualifications within Scotland and internationally.
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