Routes into Retrofit

Opening doors to green careers 

Routes into Retrofit is a supported employment programme, co-designed by Grosvenor and Groundwork, being delivered as part of our Positive Futures programme.


Why Routes into Retrofit?

To meet the UK’s net zero targets, the country needs 205,000 skilled workers each year dedicated solely to retrofitting historic buildings. Today, we have less than half that number. At the same time, thousands of people who stand to benefit most from green jobs are locked out of opportunity because they lack the qualifications, connections or recent work experience that employers typically require. 

This is especially true in Westminster – home to the highest proportion of heritage buildings in London, and a community where one in eight residents have no formal qualifications and unemployment in some neighbourhoods is more than double the borough average. 

Routes into Retrofit aims to address both challenges at once: playing a part in responding to the green skills shortage while opening up life-changing employment opportunities for local people. 

Join Us

With support from Westminster City Council, we are now exploring partnerships with companies across the property and retrofit sectors, both within Westminster and beyond. 
 
Help grow the green workforce. Help create life-changing opportunities. 
Be part of Routes into Retrofit. 
 
To discuss partnership opportunities please contact Kate Nottidge, Social Impact Director at Kate.Nottidge@Grosvenor.com. 

A Proven Model for Inclusive Green Employment

Through the partnership:
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80

unemployed Westminster residents have accessed green training through our partnership with Groundwork


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53

have moved into long-term employment


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100%

reported improved skills, confidence and job prospects

What is Routes into Retrofit? primary

What is Routes into Retrofit?

Routes into Retrofit is a six-month, paid supported employment programme designed to help those furthest from the labour market step into entry-level green skills and retrofit roles. 

Delivered by Groundwork, the programme matches trainees with employers across Grosvenor’s supply chain. Trainees receive wrap-around coaching, structured training, and a clear pathway into long-term employment or an apprenticeship. 

The pilot programme has already proven successful - and we are now expanding to bring more partners on board in order to offer even more placements to vulnerable young people. By scaling up this programme across the sector, together we can help to create more equal opportunities in the green economy and help create the next generation of the sector’s workforce. 
Introducing Yared

 Yared (pictured), one of our first Routes into Retrofit trainees, is now permanently employed by PJ Harte Ltd after working on 110 Buckingham Palace Road, part of Grosvenor’s £90m retrofit programme. 

Introducing Naz: A journey of growth and opportunity  primary

Introducing Naz: A journey of growth and opportunity 

Naz, another of our Routes into Retrofit trainees is placed with Skanska at our South Molton development. This entry-level role was designed to provide hands-on experience in a retrofit context, with responsibilities including managing and organising building samples, from lighting units to sanitaryware and finishes. 

As someone with ADHD and dyslexia, traditional study environments posed challenges, but this role offered Naz the opportunity to learn through doing and a chance to grow. 

Naz now works full-time, with Skanska providing day-to-day supervision and Groundwork continuing to support Naz’s aspirations and next steps.  


“I had no idea construction held so many different sectors. This role has given me exposure to different fields.” 

Group 2