Decision details

At the West of England Combined Authority Committee in December 2021, it was agreed to allocate £200k from the Green Recovery Fund to create a Retrofit Step-Up programme and to delegate the approval of a Feasibility and Development Funding Application to the Combined Authority Chief Executive in consultation with the Chief Executives of the constituent Councils.

A Feasibility and Development Funding Application has been produced which sets out the proposal to drive up interest in and take up of existing retrofit training (for instance, via Skills Bootcamps, Future Bright in-work progression coaching and other provision), through the recruitment of a dedicated Retrofit and Green Skills Manager. This role will maximise awareness and uptake of training opportunities and deliver the numbers required in the Retrofit Accelerator (i.e. Retrofit West) proposal, by working through Future Bright, Skills Connect and a wide range of other Skills delivery.

To approve theFeasibility and DevelopmentFunding Application and the award of £200k for the Retrofit 'Step Up' (Skills Initiative).

At the West of England Combined Authority Committee in December 2021, itwas agreed to allocate £200k fromthe Green Recovery Fund to create a Retrofit Step-Upprogramme and to delegate the approval of a Feasibility and Development Funding Application to the Combined Authority Chief Executive inconsultationwith theChief Executives of theconstituent Councils.

AFeasibility and Development Funding Application has beenproduced which sets out the proposal to driveup interest in and take upof existingretrofit training(for instance, via Skills Bootcamps, Future Bright in-work progression coaching and other provision), through the recruitment of a dedicated Retrofit andGreen Skills Manager.Thisrolewill maximise awareness anduptake of training opportunities and deliver the numbers required in the Retrofit Accelerator (i.e. Retrofit West)proposal, byworking throughFuture Bright,Skills Connectand awide rangeof otherSkills delivery.

Optionsconsidered:

Option1 -do nothingand leaveitto themarket toprovide retrofitand greenskills. Thisoption wouldnot result in thejoiningup ofthe skillslandscape orcritically, theidentification ofgreen skills pathways.

Option 2- recruit a dedicated GreenSkills Lead to a) joinup the current and emerging skills provision, b) identify greenskills pathways, c) create clear progression route maps helpingpeople to get intand progress inretrofitand green jobs and d) supportwith addressing short, medium and longer term supply issues.