David Pierpoint, Chief Executive at The Retrofit Academy:
“The launch of TRA Hampshire in partnership with SERT Group is another great step in extending the capacity for delivering retrofit at scale in the South East. Learners who train at The Retrofit Academy Hampshire will get access to the nation’s leading and most established training courses and graduate in a strong position to support with delivery of high-quality, large-scale retrofit across the UK.”Vincent Wedlock-Ward MBE MCIOB, Director and Founder at Future Isle of Wight CIC:
“Working with SERT gives Future Isle of Wight CIC the confidence to reach out to the construction industry knowing that we can help them obtain the skills needed to retrofit the thousands of Island homes who are eligible for Energy Company Obligation 4 and leave them with a future skills legacy , as they say better to give someone a fishing rod than a fish.Working within the construction industry since I was fifteen years old which now totals fifty years, I have helped young people gain industry skills which sets them up for life giving them confidence and self-esteem and an important note they are financially able to look after themselves and family. The retrofit industry will also give those involved a sense of pride knowing that they are helping families out of fuel poverty and enable them to live in a health warm home that does not cost the earth.
One of the biggest barriers we face here on the Isle of Wight and the mainland is skill shortage, SERT are making sure they have future proofed their training education to fill this gap within the retrofit industry, I look forward to many years working with SERT.”