The UK’s first Diploma in Retrofit is being delivered by the Centre of Refurbishment Excellence (CoRE) following the launch of the new ‘CoRE Curriculum’ at Retro Expo in London this week.
CoRE’s Retrofit Diploma will be offered at foundation, intermediate and advanced levels. Each level allows contractors, installers, architects and other refurbishment professionals to choose from an extensive range of modules to tailor the programme to their needs depending on their job, the sector they work in and their existing experience and knowledge. The diploma framework has been successfully piloted this autumn with a team of 12 technicians from Kier Stoke.
CoRE has also created specialist routes through the diplomas for three key roles in retrofit, including for retrofit coordinators, social housing specialists and experienced tradesmen.
The qualification draws upon the new CoRE Curriculum – the first comprehensive training and education programme to be created by leading refurbishment practitioners and green retrofit experts. It has been developed by Peter Rickaby, working a with a task group including Mark Elton, Russell Smith and Robert Prewett, as well as input from the National Energy Foundation and BRE.
David Pierpoint, chief executive of CoRE, says: “The diploma and curriculum provides a new gold standard in training for asset management, project management and installation for low energy retrofit in both domestic and non-domestic property.
“This includes the assessment of buildings, statutory schemes such as Green Deal and ECO, technical aspects of insulation, ventilation, renewable energy, sustainable materials, Passivhaus and the responsible retrofit of traditional buildings.
“It covers every stage in the process – from demand generation and winning work to better technical delivery and customer care – and will help to underpin and strengthen growth in the refurbishment supply chain.”
The CoRE Curriculum provides a framework of credits which can be gained from masterclasses at CoRE itself. Other credits are available for accredited QCF courses and manufacturer systems training, and accredited CPD.
The CoRE Curriculum is being launched at Retro Expo at the Business Design Centre on 5 December. CoRE’s own building – a stunning low energy refurbishment of a Grade II listed pottery works in Stoke-on-Trent – is also shortlisted for the Non-Domestic Project of the Year in the Retro Expo Awards.