CSI York - Project to boost green construction skills

A new initiative which plans to create new jobs, boost green construction skills and in turn help tackle the climate emergency will be discussed at a meeting next week (20 February).

The council, with partners on the Retrofit One Stop Shop York (ROSSY) project, has been awarded £3.37m from Innovate UK to support, promote and encourage retrofitting work to homes across the city, helping residents to save money and to move the city towards net zero, while upskilling the sector with the latest techniques.

The ROSSY project forms a key part of the council’s Construction Skills Initiative (CSI York), alongside two previously-announced UK Shared Prosperity Fund projects which help young people gain experience and skills in the construction sector, and supporting work to improve community venues in the city.

Councillor Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council said,

“Under our Council plan’s ‘economy and good employment’ priority, we committed to a fair, thriving, green economy for all, and to developing green skills, quality qualifications and employment. We pledged to tackle the climate emergency and help people into well-paid ‘green jobs’. This is a significant step in delivering that pledge, and a milestone on the way to the ‘Green Construction Skills Village’ we promised. 

“Initiatives such as CSI York are critical to this and have far reaching benefits, tackling a skills gap in the construction sector and upskilling residents so more of them can work in well-paid jobs in the exciting developments being built in the city.

“Retrofitting homes in York means warmer homes and cheaper energy bills with both better for the environment. I want to thank all the partners for their hard work on this so far and I look forward to continuing to work with them to make a real difference.”

Councillor Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities said, 

“While retrofitting has many benefits, we are aware of some of the barriers for residents, including the upfront costs, practicalities and lack of clear information. A key part of this new initiative would see us work to remove these barriers by offering advice and support and creating a ‘retrofit one stop shop’.

“In the long-term everyone benefits from homes being retrofitted. Better insulation will mean people can live in warmer homes while paying lower energy bills. A third of the carbon impact in York comes from our homes and retrofitting will help to reduce that number significantly. With the economic benefits too this means the impact of this work stretches far beyond each individual home.”

At the meeting Executive members will be asked to agree to accept the funding from Innovate UK. Executive takes place on Tuesday 20 February at 5.30pm. 

The agenda is available to view online at https://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=733&MId=13936 and the meeting will be streamed and available to view live or on demand at www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.