Building Connections in Retrofit aims to foster sustainable growth and innovation within the retrofit industry across the West of England Combined Authority.
This project is part of a wider retrofit project that aims to build the supply chain, support local businesses, and deliver green skills development for residents, funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority through the Green Recovery Fund, a £60m pot to help meet the regions climate and ecological ambitions.
Retrofitting is a crucial tool in the fight against climate change and has benefits for the community, including reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency, creating local jobs, and improving the health and well-being of residents.
Building Connections in Refrofit aims to bring businesses together, enabling them to establish new partnerships with like-minded peers who can offer the retrofit services they require at the right time. We will support traditional sole traders and micro/SME businesses in the traditional built environment, promoting opportunities to train and work in the retrofit sector.
Building Connections, with Building Growth, can offer:
- Opportunities to learn new skills and techniques to help measure carbon, reduce waste, and minimise environmental impact
- Bite-sized information workshops from expert speakers from industry
- Develop commercial relationships with construction suppliers and providers
- Retrofit technology site visits
- Green construction support programme to help new and existing construction businesses understand the opportunities in the retrofit sector,
- Funded training opportunities to secure long-term jobs in the retrofit industry
Eligibility
The project will run until 31st March 2025, and offer businesses the opportunity to boost their green credentials or access a new green market.
Courses have been designed to offer maximum flexibility, so they will be delivered online and in-person, offering bite-sized sessions that you can pick and choose to suit your needs. There will be networks and events, which you can opt in and out of as required.
To be eligible, you must be based in the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and be in some form of employment (including self-employment).
Registration
The registration process is quick and simple.
Please provide some contact information about yourself and your business, and the support team will be in touch with information about our next training or networking event that you could attend.
About us
YTKO is a private sector consultancy business with over two decades of experience delivering publicly funded business support programmes. We’ve helped over 30,000 businesses across the UK overcome all the different challenges on that journey and have a wealth of first-hand experience of building a sustainable, net-zero business.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK by investing in communities and place, supporting local businesses, people, and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
