A new training course for those involved in retrofit asset management is being offered for the first time in the North West to help bridge the construction skills gap.
The Diploma in Retrofit Asset Management run by the national Centre of Refurbishment Excellence (CoRE) will be of interest to Registered Providers (RPs) with staff involved with asset management.
To bring the Diploma to the North West, CoRE has partnered with social housing regeneration consortium, Procure Plus, which will host the course in Manchester. The courses are delivered by the leading experts in sustainable refurbishment, many of whom have specialised in social housing. They include Alex Willey and Jeremy Kape from Affinity Sutton, and Nicola Scorer from Gentoo, who will share their experiences of engaging residents in projects, and integrating retrofit in to existing asset management strategies.
The qualification helps address a lack of understanding surrounding the asset management of retrofit projects, and to ensure all those involved with such schemes work together more efficiently.
The course will allow organisations to make the most of investment and procurement processes to future proof their assets, while also increasing the effectiveness of targeted planned maintenance and reducing the burden of responsive repairs.
Successfully launched in 2014, the Diploma has proven its value in supporting existing housing management professionals working for: Local Authorities; Registered Providers; Arms-Length Management Organisations (ALMOs); Tenant Management Organisations; consultants and contractors.
A recent graduate and senior asset manager for one of the largest RPs, said: “The course is helping me to build my knowledge and fill gaps, but has also made me rethink the way the whole organisation should approach retrofit projects.”
David Kemp, sustainability manager at Procure Plus, added: “When people think of a construction skills gap, they tend to think about a shortage of qualified tradespeople, but the problem is much broader than that. Retrofit asset management can only succeed if all those involved are on the same page and working towards the same objectives – something the Diploma can really help achieve.”
The course will be delivered in Manchester during February and March 2015, and delegates can choose to take individual modules at £200 + VAT each or the full suite can be completed for £2000 + VAT in order to earn a Diploma in Retrofit Asset Management.
For more information about Procure Plus, please visit www.procure-plus.com.