Ireland has witnessed a significant surge in enrollment for retrofitting and Zero Energy Building (NZEB) courses, as the country pushes forward with its ambitious sustainability goals. In 2024, 6,423 individuals participated in these vital training programs, marking a 45% increase from the previous year’s figure of 4,452 enrollments. This spike underscores growing demand for green skills as Ireland gears up to meet its target of retrofitting 500,000 homes by 2030, a key element of the government’s Housing for All initiative.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science, Patrick O’Donovan, highlighted the importance of these training programs in supporting Ireland’s broader climate action and energy efficiency objectives. “The continued growth in enrolments for NZEB and Retrofit upskilling and reskilling courses is vital for achieving our goals of reducing carbon emissions and lowering energy costs for households,” he said. “We are developing a skilled workforce that will play a crucial role in meeting the nation’s green building targets.”
In 2024, the participation of female trainees reached a new high, with women comprising 11% of those enrolled—an important step towards addressing gender imbalance in the traditionally male-dominated construction industry. O’Donovan noted that the department’s ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity are helping to create new opportunities for women in construction, including roles in design, planning, and manufacturing.
The training is delivered through a network of Centres of Excellence operated by the Education and Training Boards (ETBs), with courses offered in flexible formats, including evening and weekend sessions. The Centres provide accessible, high-quality education that allows individuals with prior construction experience to acquire retrofit and NZEB skills in as little as three to four days.
The upward trend in enrollments is a direct result of the work done by O’Donovan’s department in collaboration with SOLAS (the Further Education and Training Authority) and the ETBs to enhance course delivery methods, making it easier for those looking to upskill. The rapid expansion of these programs is seen as a critical step in ensuring Ireland can meet its ambitious climate and housing targets, which include not only retrofitting homes but also creating more energy-efficient, comfortable living spaces for citizens.
As the nation approaches 2025, O’Donovan expressed optimism that even more individuals will be drawn to these programs. “In 2025, we plan to further increase participation, ensuring that more workers are equipped with the skills necessary to meet the challenges of green construction,” he added.
Growth in Enrollments
The retrofitting and NZEB training courses have steadily gained traction since their inception in 2020, with enrollments rising from 363 that year to a record 6,423 in 2024. The figures are as follows:
- 2020: 363 enrollments
- 2021: 793 enrollments
- 2022: 2,034 enrollments
- 2023: 4,452 enrollments
- 2024: 6,423 enrollments
Future Outlook
The government aims to continue expanding access to these courses and further address Ireland’s green building and energy efficiency needs. Through these initiatives, the government is investing in a sustainable future, where a skilled workforce plays a pivotal role in achieving climate and energy objectives.
For more information on retrofitting training programs and how to get involved, interested individuals can visit www.gov.ie/therightcourse.
Picture by Freepik
