Retrofit Coordination course allows former project manager to open consultancy
A Shropshire-based retrofit coordinator has opened his own consultancy business after upskilling in the industry.
Following the completion of the Level 5 Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management course through The Retrofit Academy, Sam Gwilliam has launched Roost Building Consultants alongside his wife Kate to provide clients with services such as retrofit advice, assessment and coordination.
The consultancy aims to help businesses who are making use of funding such as the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) and Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) as well as individuals looking to retrofit their home privately. Using a variety of sustainable upgrades to existing homes, Roost Building Consultants can reduce the amount of carbon released through Shropshire properties into the atmosphere, helping reduce its negative impact on the planet.
As a Retrofit Coordinator, Sam is one of the most highly qualified retrofit specialists which enables him to ensure projects adhere to PAS 2035 – the official framework for whole-house domestic retrofit in the UK. As a result, he can guarantee compliance with procurement, specification, and delivery of all aspects of domestic retrofit activity.
To help finance his learning journey in retrofit coordination, Sam was able to apply for funding made available through the West Midlands Combined Authority DfE Skills Bootcamps to help upskill individuals in the Midlands.
Speaking on his journey to open Roost Building Consultants, owner Sam Gwilliam said:
“In 2022, following the sale of our previous business, my wife and I decided to spend a year upskilling ourselves to launch our own consultancy company. For me, this included gaining a qualification in retrofit. Due to my background in the built industry sector, I went straight into the Retrofit Coordination course at The Retrofit Academy and was taught everything I needed to retrofit homes to the PAS 2035 standard.”
Since its launch in 2019, The Retrofit Academy has trained 1,680 Retrofit Coordinators through its Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management to help lower the skills gap in the sector. To reach the Government’s target of reaching net zero by 2050, 400,000 qualified and competent professionals are needed to retrofit 27 million UK homes to the PAS 2035 standard. The Retrofit Academy is aiming to train 200,000 of those by 2030.
Sam continued:
“Following the completion of my course using the online learning platform, I’m now able to lead the retrofit services at Roost Building Consultancy and help provide the necessary changes and upgrades needed to decarbonise buildings in the Shropshire area. We can’t wait to make a positive difference and provide all the needed services to help build a more sustainable community.”
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