The Midlands Net Zero Hub, on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) commissioned GC Insight to deliver independent evaluations of Phases 1 and 2 of the Home Decarbonisation Skills Training Competition (HDSTC), a major government funded programme designed to scale up skills in the energy efficiency and building retrofit sectors across England.

The competition supported the delivery of subsidised, accredited training for new entrants and existing workers, to address critical skills gaps. Across its two phases, the Government spent approximately £18m on developing skills in retrofit assessment, coordination and installation.

Our Role:

Our evaluations combined analysis of programme monitoring data with large-scale primary research, including trainee surveys, longitudinal insights from interviews with Phase 1 participants, and targeted engagement with non-completers of training. Phase 1 focused on overall programme delivery and early outcomes, while Phase 2 documented training experiences, barriers to participation, and longer-term impacts on skills, confidence and employment.

Outcome:

The evaluations demonstrated the competition’s effectiveness in building technical skills and confidence; highlighted the importance of subsidised training in overcoming barriers to engagement; and the competition's role in enabling access to new contracts, supporting career progression and encouraging ongoing skills development.