Funded Combined DEA and Retrofit Assessor Course

12 months Retrofit Academy Membership included with this course.

Become a TrustMark Accredited Retrofit Assessor

This is your opportunity to become a TrustMark accredited Retrofit Assessor – even if you have no prior experience.

Retrofit Assessors carry out home surveys that provide all the data that Retrofit Coordinators and Designers need in order to build the right retrofit plan for the resident and the property.

The programme includes the two courses that you will need to become a fully-fledged Retrofit Assessor.

You will first study towards the Level 3 Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) qualification. You will learn how to assess the energy efficiency of a residential property and to issue Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).

Once you have completed this course, you will move on to the Level 4 Retrofit Assessor qualification. This will help you to understand retrofit and the process of conducting a Retrofit Assessment, using the best practice method outlined in the upcoming British Standard BS 40104.  

Those enrolling on to this course will have five months to complete it. It is a substantial undertaking and applicants must commit to completing both courses.

Included with your course:

eligibility

All candidates must be 18 years of age and be eligible to live and work in the UK. You must live or work in England to be eligible for this funding.

Duration

You have five months to complete the course. You will need to attend online training sessions weekly. You can expect to spend over 100 hours studying or completing the assessments.

Trustmark Accreditation​

Upon completing the course, you will become an accredited TrustMark Retrofit Assessor through the Retrofit Academy Accreditation Scheme.

What our learners have to say

Watch Sam’s case study to learn more about the training and support from The Retrofit Academy and how it played a crucial role in expanding his services.

Funding for this course is provided by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DfESNZ) via the Midlands Net Zero Hub. The funding is through the Warm Homes Skills Programme, which supports the government’s Warm Homes Programme. Through the Warm Homes Programme, the government supports social landlords and local authorities to deliver large-scale retrofit programmes. The funding will cover all but £500 plus VAT of the course cost, saving almost £2000. However, you must comply with the funding scheme rules and complete within the timescales. Failure to do so may result in being withdrawn from the course or having to cover the funding shortfall.  

Clive Rowland - Lead Tutor

Clive has over 16 years’ experience in the retrofit industry, including energy assessments of existing and new build dwellings, thermal imaging, air pressure testing, building forensics, post occupancy evaluation and building performance monitoring. He co-wrote and delivered the training for one of the modules for the PAS 2035 Retrofit Co-ordinator qualification and was part of the advisory panel for the Green Deal Advisor National Occupational Standards.

Dominic Ives - Retrofit Skills Coach

Dominic joined the Retrofit Academy in February 2024 as a Retrofit Skills Coach. Dominic has previously been working as a Retrofit Coordinator working on SHDF Wave 1 projects in the Southwest. He has worked as a natural builder working with cob as well in conventional construction and renovation. Further experience and study have focused on practical sustainability, arboriculture and horticulture. Dominic is currently also studying an MSc part time in Green Building and has keen interests in ultra-low energy buildings, natural materials and domestic energy.

Eligibility

You will be eligible to apply if:

  • Residency in England or proof that you work on English-funded schemes
  • You are aged 18 and over.
  • Have a stable internet connection.
  • Have access to a desktop or laptop computer. 

The ABBE Level 3 Certificate in Domestic Energy Assessment gives you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to produce quality Property Assessments on domestic properties, including collecting the property level data of the building, floorplan and in order to produce an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

There are a total of four modules:

1. Conducting Energy Assessments
2. Preparing for Energy Assessments
3. Undertaking Energy Inspections
4. How to Produce and Explain Energy Performance Certificates

The AIM Qualifications Level 4 Award in Domestic Retrofit Assessment gives you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to produce quality Property Assessments for use on domestic retrofit projects, including assessing the condition, occupancy and significance of the building in line with the PAS 2035.

There are a total of nine modules:

1. PAS 2035 and Retrofit Assessments
2. Context of Dwellings
3. Assessing the Condition of a Dwelling and Recording Any Defects
4. The Requirements of Occupancy Assessments
5. Ventilation Requirements of a Dwelling
6. Energy Performance of a Dwelling
7. Significance of a Dwelling
8. Retrofit Assessment Reports
9. Retrofit Advice to Customers

You will initially be given access to the Level 3 DEA course via our Learner Management System. You will be invited to attend weekly Online Drop In Sessions where you will receive tuition and can ask questions. You will also be added to The Retrofit Academy Hub, where you will be able to take part in discussions with you co-learners and tutor. As you start to submit your work, one of our Skills Coaches will provide further feedback and guidance. Once you have completed the DEA course, you will be given access to the Level 4 Retrofit Assessor course. The Drop In Sessions and mentoring will continue.

  • Supported online learning through our State-of-the-art online learning platform: Access your coursework anytime, anywhere.
  • 24/7 Access: Study at your own pace with unrestricted access to course materials.
  • Interactive and Engaging Learning: Participate in a dynamic and interactive educational environment.
  • Mentor Support: Receive personalised guidance from industry experts.
  • Drop-In Support Sessions: Gain access to weekly sessions designed to help learners stay engaged, build confidence, and deepen their understanding through direct interaction with our expert team.
  • Customer Support: Get help whenever you need it, ensuring a smooth learning experience.
  • Access to PAS Documents: Ensure compliance and industry alignment with essential PAS documents.
  • Bitesize Learning: Develop your skills with short guides developed by experts.
  • Trustmark Accreditation: Previously costing over £200, this certification is now included in the course price, providing you with added value and ensuring you’re fully equipped to meet industry standards from day one.
  • 12 months Retrofit Academy Professional Membership: access to the Retrofit Professionals best practice community, HomeLife Software, invites to regular online practical-led sessions with guest speakers and case-study led sessions, access to jobs and more!
  • Work Placement: High quality graduates from this course seeking employment will be offered opportunities to gain work experience and job interviews with leading employers.

All learners are assigned to one of The Retrofit Academy’s expert Retrofit Skills Coaches, hand-picked for their experience and expertise, who provide guidance and feedback on your assessments.

You will be assessed throughout your course with a short written assignment per module, building a Portfolio of Evidence for the Level 3 Award in Domestic Energy Assessment.

For the Level 4 Award in Domestic Retrofit Assessment, you will be assessed throughout your course and in a final professional discussion.

All learners successfully passing the assessments will be recommended for the ABBE Level 3 Award in Domestic Energy Assessment and AIM Qualifications Level 4 Award in Domestic Retrofit Assessment.

Upon successful graduation from the Level 4 Award in Domestic Retrofit Assessment, learners will be eligible to apply for TrustMark Accreditation as a Retrofit Assessor at no extra cost for the first year.

Upon graduation, you will become recognised as a Retrofit Academy Member at the appropriate level, often at Associate Level in your early years of practice. You can progress through Practitioner levels to ultimately apply for Retrofit Academy Fellowship.

The first 12 months are FREE post graduation. The ongoing membership fee is £295 plus VAT per year.

After you have completed the certified course, you will gain access to The Retrofit Academy Hub, providing:

  • Your own profile page to showcase your skills and achievements to the retrofit sector
  • CPD Accredited courses to maintain professional status
  • Connectivity with employers and job opportunities
  • Invites to regular online practical-led sessions with guest speakers and case-study led sessions
  • Access to Technical Discussions and Best Practice Groups
  • Access to HomeLife® Software – end to end retrofit management data-tracking, coordination, monitoring, lodgement and reporting with full TrustMark integration (usually costing up to £500 per year).
  • Work Placement – High quality graduates from this course seeking employment will be offered opportunities to gain work experience and job interviews with leading employers

READY TO GET STARTED?

Start your journey towards becoming a TrustMark accredited Retrofit Assessor today.

COST TO YOU

£500 +VAT

DfESNZ FUNDED COMBINED LEVEL 3 DEA AND LEVEL 4 RETROFIT ASSESSOR

Please ensure you enter your full legal name when completing this application because it will be used for invoicing, and on your award/certificate.

Get In Touch

Our funded places are now full - but you don’t have to miss out.

Please contact our team at [email protected] if you are still interested and we can put you on a waiting list and advise about future funding.

Alternatively, you can still train as a certified Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) through our standard training routes. You’ll receive the same high-quality training, accreditation, and ongoing support to get you qualified and working in the field.