New Centre for Sustainable Construction and Retrofit Addresses UK Retrofit Skills Gap

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Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has announced the launch of a new Centre for Sustainable Construction and Retrofit, addressing a critical shortage of skills in retrofitting and sustainable new building design. Scheduled to open on 14 November 2026 in the university’s Newton Building on its City Campus, the centre will offer new courses and consultancy support to help the industry transition to net‑zero in the built environment.

NTU has a well‑established track record in sustainability research for the built environment, including the influential ‘Scale‑up Retrofit 2050’ whitepaper calling for a nationwide programme to boost energy efficiency through deep retrofitting. The university also pioneered the REMOURBAN project, demonstrating benefits of deep retrofits in social housing, and raising the issue during COP26.

The new centre is explicitly designed to help the industry develop the skills needed to retrofit existing properties at scale and to create new buildings sustainably. At its launch in November, a panel—including representatives from Nottinghamshire County Council, Green Growth Investment and Assets, Arup, Focus Consultants, Spenbeck, and Morgan Sindall will explore the sector’s challenges and opportunities in meeting the Net Zero 2050 target.

This builds on NTU’s broader sustainability credentials and research insights. With the built environment responsible for approximately 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions, deep retrofit and sustainable methods are vital for meaningful progress. NTU’s initiative aims to bridge the skills gap in the retrofit sector and support businesses through education and expert guidance.

What this means:

This new centre will provide a critical catalyst for accelerating progress toward net‑zero targets in the built environment. By developing practical retrofit and sustainable building expertise through targeted training and consultancy, the centre will help upskill professionals, strengthen the supply chain, and support scalable solutions. Its launch sets the stage for a more resilient, low‑carbon construction sector able to retrofit at scale and meet the UK’s housing growth needs with sustainable practices.

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