Retrofit is big business right now. And it’s only getting bigger. With millions of homes needing upgrades to hit net zero, there’s a tidal wave of work coming. The question is — are you and your team ready to grab a piece of it?
Here’s the deal. Clients (think councils, housing associations, even private landlords) are asking for PAS 2035 compliance before they’ll even consider you. No PAS 2035 accreditation, no contract. It really is that black and white.
And that’s where retrofit courses come in. They’re not just about ticking a box. They’re about proving you’ve got the people, the skills, and the paperwork to deliver jobs the way the regs demand.
Understanding PAS 2035 Accreditation and Its Role in Retrofit Work
PAS 2035 is the official playbook for retrofitting homes. No more quick fixes like shoving some insulation in and walking away. It’s the whole-house approach — insulation, heating, ventilation, airtightness — all working together.
If you want access to government-funded schemes like ECO4 or the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund, you need to prove PAS 2035 compliance. Even private clients are starting to ask for it. Why? Because it reassures them the job’s going to be done properly, not bodged together.
How Retrofit Courses Put Your Team on the Road to PAS 2035 Accreditation
Here’s the blunt truth. The industry doesn’t have enough PAS 2035-qualified people. You’re unlikely to just stumble across a ready-made Retrofit Coordinator or Assessor when you need one. The smartest move is to grow your own.
Retrofit courses do more than hand out certificates. They give your team the confidence to chase bigger contracts that demand PAS 2035 qualifications. They help cut down on nasty surprises on site, because trained staff are better at spotting problems like dodgy ventilation before they snowball into rework. And let’s not forget retention — people are much more likely to stay loyal if they can see you’re investing in them.
Oh, and one more thing. The net zero deadlines aren’t shifting. Training now means you’re ready. Leave it too late, and you’ll be scrambling.
In short, retrofit courses are the stepping stones to PAS 2035 accreditation.
Which Retrofit Courses Make Sense for Employers?
PAS 2035 spells out a handful of key roles on every retrofit job — Assessors, Coordinators, Designers, Installers, and Evaluators. Each has its own training route. Some of those courses (like the Retrofit Assessor top-up or the Level 5 Diploma for Coordinators) are delivered by specialist providers.
Where Train 4 Growth comes in is with the people who actually keep things moving on site: your installers, testers, and managers. These are the roles that make PAS 2035 projects work day to day, and it’s exactly where our retrofit courses deliver the most value.
For new or junior staff, the Level 2 NVQ in Understanding Domestic Retrofit is a great foundation. It gets them up to speed with the whole-house approach that sits behind PAS 2035, so they understand why airtightness and ventilation matter just as much as insulation.
For installers, PAS 2030 certification is non-negotiable. Our Level 3 NVQ in Insulation and Building Treatments is the direct route to proving competence in fitting measures to standard — cutting the risk of failed audits and costly rework.
If you’d like airtightness expertise in-house, the Level 3 NVQ in Air Tightness Testing (Low-Pressure Pulse Method) trains staff to carry out compliance testing themselves. No more waiting around for outside contractors.
And for site leadership, the Level 6 NVQ in Construction Site Management – Retrofit gives managers the tools to run retrofit projects confidently, coordinate trades, and keep PAS 2035 compliance on track.
Put simply: while Assessors and Coordinators take their own specialist paths, Train 4 Growth can equip the rest of your team with the retrofit courses they need. The result? A workforce that’s qualified, competent, and ready for PAS 2035 projects.
PAS 2035 Accreditation: The Role of Testing and Certification
Here’s the kicker. Training alone won’t get you PAS 2035 accreditation. You also need proper testing and certification to prove the work meets regs.
That means airtightness testing (required under Part L) to measure leakage and prove compliance. And ventilation checks (required under Part F) to show airflow is safe and healthy.
This is where our partners, AVT UK, come in. They’re the experts in airtightness and ventilation compliance. Your team does the work, they do the tests, and together you’ve got a retrofit project that passes without drama.
How to Get Your Team Started with Retrofit Courses
It doesn’t have to be complicated. First, figure out your gaps. Do you need a Coordinator? More trained installers?
Then pick the people for each role and book the right retrofit courses. Train 4 Growth can handle everything from Level 2 NVQs through to specialist retrofit site management and installer training.
And don’t forget testing. Get AVT UK involved early for airtightness and ventilation checks so there are no last-minute hiccups.
Funding Support for Employers
Worried about cost? Don’t be. There’s support out there.
CITB grants can help cover NVQ training. Plus there are government-funded bootcamps and local schemes designed to plug the retrofit skills gap.
Just ask us when you enquire and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Wrapping Up: Why Retrofit Courses and PAS 2035 Compliance Matter
Here’s the bottom line. PAS 2035 compliance isn’t going away. It’s already the benchmark, and the firms putting their people through retrofit courses now are the ones winning contracts tomorrow.
Don’t wait until a tender drops asking for PAS 2035 accreditation and you’ve got no one qualified. Get ahead. Train your installers. Upskill your site managers. Bring in airtightness expertise. The sooner your team has the right retrofit qualifications in place, the smoother your projects will run — and the more confident clients will feel choosing you.
Call 0161 706 1401 or send us a message today for a chat about which retrofit courses would fit your team best.
