With growing urgency around reducing energy bills and cutting carbon emissions, retrofit skills are becoming ever more crucial. At Energy Trust, we’re proud to be part of the Government’s Warm Homes Skills Programme (WHSP), delivering subsidised energy-efficiency and retrofit training training across England.
Below is a guide to what the WHSP is, who’s eligible, and how our course offerings can help you take your next step into this fast-growing sector.
What is the Warm Homes Skills Programme?
The £8 million Warm Homes Skills Programme is a government-backed initiative designed to boost the UK’s workforce in retrofit and energy efficiency. It is running until July 2026, and will provide subsidised training opportunities for up to 9,000 installers and retrofit professionals. Through this scheme, learners receive significant partial funding (60 % subsidy) on specialist courses aligned with PAS 2035, PAS 2038, and related retrofit standards.
At Energy Trust, we are delivering these courses under the WHSP banner, backed by nearly £1 million in grant support. Our goal: to make retrofit training more accessible, and to help build the talent pipeline needed for the UK’s net-zero goals. Since the training is subsidised, learners can access in-demand qualifications at only 40 % of the usual cost.
Courses will run between September 2025 and July 2026. However, there are limited places available for each course, so it is first come, first served – due to the limited availability we recommend booking a training course as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this opportunity for subsidised training!
Who Is Eligible?
To benefit from the funding, participants must meet certain criteria set by the UK Government. These include:
- Be aged 18 or older
- Live in England, or perform the majority of their work in England (evidence is required)
- Be eligible to receive public funds in the UK
- Meet any course-specific entry requirements (some courses have prerequisites)
Importantly, you can apply whether you are employed, self-employed, and unemployed.
Why Consider Retrofit Training?
This is more than just a training scheme – it’s a doorway into a sector with increasing demand and clear purpose.
New entrants can break into the industry with foundational qualifications, even with no prior experience. Existing professionals in construction, energy, or the built environment can upskill and broaden their expertise.
The WHSP-supported courses open pathways into roles such as:
- Domestic Energy Assessor
- Retrofit Assessor
- Retrofit Coordinator
- Non-Domestic Energy Assessor
- Specialists in older and traditional buildings
These roles are integral to retrofit projects and energy efficiency programmes across the UK.
Our Course Portfolio via WHSP
https://www.abbeqa.co.uk/Under the WHSP scheme, Energy Trust is offering a wide selection of PAS 2035 / 2038-aligned training courses – from entry level up to advanced. All are delivered by professional industry-seasoned trainers and lead to recognised qualifications through ABBE (Awarding Body for the Built Environment).
Here’s a breakdown of what is available:
* “Subsidised Price” reflects the 60 % funding via WHSP. Original full prices are higher.
How to Apply & What to Consider
If you’re interested, consider the following steps:
- Check your eligibility (age, residency, funding eligibility).
- Decide which course matches your goals — are you starting out, or building on existing knowledge?
- Register early, since places are limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis. You can simply sign up to a course via our website and complete the required short application process. We will ensure your eligibility for the funding on our end and confirm your place and course arrangements.
- Explore support options — we offer additional finance options (e.g. Klarna, ClearPay, SnapFinance) to help with any remaining cost.
- Reach out for advice — we’re happy to guide you on which course suits your background and career goals.
Because our WHSP programmes have limited places, applying early is strongly recommended!
In Summary
The Warm Homes Skills Programme is a rare opportunity – a subsidised, government-endorsed pathway into the retrofit and energy efficiency sector. Whether you’re new to the field or already in construction/energy and looking to upskill, these courses can accelerate your progress.
At Energy Trust, we offer a broad and flexible portfolio under WHSP, backed by experienced trainers, efficient certification, and learner support. We believe this will help transform individuals’ careers, and help the UK meet its net-zero housing goals.
