Skills Bootcamp

Pathway to Retrofit Excellence – West Midlands

A Skills Bootcamp delivered with West Midlands Combined Authority, focused on retrofit, energy efficiency and green construction.

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Programme Overview

Quack Recruitment & Training delivers the Pathway to Retrofit Excellence Skills Bootcamp in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

The Pathway to Retrofit Excellence Skills Bootcamp prepares learners for careers in retrofit, construction and green skills.

The programme develops knowledge of energy efficiency, retrofit principles, construction practices and the standards and behaviours expected within the sector.

Learners also receive employability and progression support to help them move into relevant employment.

At a glance

Funding partner: West Midlands Combined Authority
Course: Pathway to Retrofit Excellence
Sector: Construction / Retrofit / Green Skills
Duration: 15 structured sessions
Guided learning hours: 82 GLH
Schedule: Monday – Friday | 9:00am – 3:30pm
Delivery: Face-to-face

Delivery model: face-to-face. Learners attend scheduled classroom-based sessions at the confirmed delivery venue.

97.5

Total Programme Hours

15.5 hours

Employability Activity

Apply for the Skills Bootcamp

Start your journey into retrofit and green construction.

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Why Choose This Skills Bootcamp?

Retrofit-Focused Curriculum

Training focuses on the knowledge and practical understanding required within retrofit and green construction.

Employer Engagement

Learners are introduced to employer expectations and relevant progression opportunities.

Employability Support

The programme includes CV, interview and job application support.

Career-Focused Training

Training is designed to help learners develop skills relevant to employment and progression.

Programme Content

The programme provides a strong foundation in retrofit and sustainable construction.

Introduction to energy efficiency and retrofit
Understanding the UK’s Net Zero targets
PAS 2035 retrofit standards
Health and safety within construction environments
Retrofit materials and insulation systems
Installation processes for energy efficiency measures
Retrofit compliance and documentation
Assessment and quality assurance processes

The programme also introduces learners to assessment and compliance roles within retrofit projects.

Skills and Knowledge Developed

Knowledge of retrofit and energy efficiency principles
Understanding of health and safety expectations
Awareness of site procedures and employer expectations
Employability skills for interviews and progression
Confidence to progress into retrofit, construction and related roles

Qualifications

Accredited qualifications

Highfield Level 2 Award in Retrofit Principles (RQF)
Highfield Level 3 Award in Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment (RQF)

Learner Support

Learner safety, wellbeing and support are important throughout the programme. Learners receive information about safeguarding, Prevent, support routes and how to report concerns during onboarding and induction.

Initial assessment and identification of support needs
BKSB English and maths support where required
Skills scan and starting point review
Formal SEND Support Plans where required
Reasonable adjustments, including extra exam time where approved
Modified learning materials where required
One-to-one support where appropriate
Weekly review of support and progress through the ILP

Learner Support, SEND & Inclusion

Find out more about learner support, SEND, reasonable adjustments and the support available throughout your programme.

Find out more

Accessibility

Find information about accessibility and how to tell us about any adjustments or support you may need.

Find out more

Safeguarding

Read our safeguarding information or find out how to report a safeguarding concern.

Find out more

Careers and Progression

Example roles

Retrofit Installer
Loft Insulation Installer
Cavity Wall Installer
Construction Operative

Employment and progression support

Our Skills Bootcamps are designed to support learners into employment or career progression.

Career Guidance

Learners receive guidance to identify suitable career pathways within retrofit and construction.

CV Development

Learners receive support developing professional CVs tailored to the sector.

Interview Preparation

Learners receive interview coaching and guidance on employer expectations.

Job Application Support

Our team helps learners identify suitable vacancies and complete job applications.

Post-Course Progression Support

Support continues after training as learners work towards employment and progression opportunities.

Employer Engagement and Progression Support

We work with employers to support learners through industry engagement, insight and progression opportunities.

Employers may engage with the programme through:

Industry insight sessions and guest talks
Information about vacancies and career pathways
Employer engagement
Interview preparation
Recruitment and progression opportunities

Employers can also explore Skills Bootcamp training for existing employees. Where an employer enrols an existing employee, an employer contribution is required under the applicable funding arrangements. Eligibility, programme availability and the required contribution will be confirmed before enrolment.

Interview and progression routes

Eligible unemployed learners who successfully complete the Skills Bootcamp will receive an offer of a relevant job interview. An interview provides an opportunity to be considered by an employer but does not guarantee employment.

Employed and self-employed learners may follow alternative progression routes, including:

Workplace progression
Increased responsibilities
Promotion or a new role
New contracts or clients
Developing or expanding self-employed activity

Learner Success Stories

Cameron K - Retrofit Installer

“Before joining the Skills Bootcamp I had never worked in construction. The tutors explained the retrofit industry clearly and helped me prepare my CV and interviews. Through the employer connections arranged during the course I secured an interview with a local insulation company and started work as a Retrofit Installer shortly after completing the Skills Bootcamp.”

Lee M - Internal Wall Installer

“I wanted to move into the green sector but didn’t know where to start. The Skills Bootcamp gave me a great understanding of energy efficiency and retrofit projects. The team helped me prepare for interviews and introduced me to employers working in the sector. After finishing the programme I secured a role supporting energy efficiency assessments.”

Shiloh C - Construction Operative

“The course was really informative and gave me a strong understanding of retrofit installations and construction processes. The careers support helped me apply for roles in the sector and within a few weeks of finishing the Skills Bootcamp I secured work with a company delivering insulation and retrofit projects.”

Our Ofsted inspection

Significant Progress in Inclusion

Quack Recruitment & Training achieved Significant Progress in Inclusion, the highest possible progress judgement for this theme at a new-provider monitoring inspection.

This is a provider-level inspection outcome and is not a separate grade for this Skills Bootcamp or its funding commissioner.

View our Ofsted results

Who Can Apply

To be eligible for this Skills Bootcamp, applicants must:

Aged 19+
Resident in an eligible West Midlands Combined Authority area
Have the right to work in the UK

Subject to the relevant programme and funding eligibility requirements, Skills Bootcamps may support adults who are unemployed, employed, self-employed, considering a career change or returning to work.

What we expect from learners

Attend all scheduled sessions
Arrive on time
Participate fully
Complete all required learning activities and assessments
Engage with employability support
Apply for suitable roles
Attend interviews where arranged
Follow learner behaviour, safeguarding and conduct expectations

Apply for the Skills Bootcamp

Start your journey into retrofit and green construction.

Apply Now

Learner Information

Learner Handbook WMCA

Pathway to Retrofit Excellence WMCA Learner Handbook v2.0

Download Learner Handbook

Policies and learner information

Safeguarding, Prevent & Online Safety Policy

Safeguarding, Prevent and online safety information for learners.

PDF

Prevent Radicalisation & Extremism Policy

Information on Quack Recruitment & Training's approach to Prevent, radicalisation and extremism.

PDF

Learner Support Policy

Information about the support available to learners throughout their programme.

PDF

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy

Quack Recruitment & Training's approach to equality, diversity and inclusion.

PDF

Complaints Policy & Procedure

Information about raising and handling complaints.

PDF

Health & Safety Policy

Quack Recruitment & Training's health and safety policy.

PDF

You can also find further information about learner support, accessibility and safeguarding.

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