Retrofit Scotland: Action Planning Workshop – Nov 2024
The Retrofit Scotland: Action Planning Workshop at BE-ST Fest 2024 brought together key stakeholders from education, community organisations, and businesses for a dynamic and engaging session on the future of retrofit in Scotland.
Held at Paisley Town Hall on Thursday, 7th November, the workshop gave the retrofit community of Scotland an opportunity to discuss, critique, and shape the direction of Retrofit Scotland.
Part 1: presentations
The session began with an introductory presentation from Caitriona Jordan and Rob Morrison, outlining the goals of Retrofit Scotland and its alignment with the upcoming launch of Scotland’s National Retrofit Centre in the Summer of 2025. The presentation set the stage for productive discussions, emphasising the need for upskilling the workforce, conveying of communities and business incubation to drive Scotland’s retrofit ambitions forward.
Participants were then split into three focused discussion groups including: Education, Community, and Business, each led by an expert facilitator. These groups delved into the key challenges and opportunities within their sectors, generating insightful ideas and actionable strategies.
Part 2: Key takeaways
Each group had the opportunity to present their findings, which contributed to a collective understanding of the next steps for Retrofit Scotland including:
Upskilling: The need for practical, hands-on training in retrofit, closer industry partnerships, and integration of retrofit education into existing curricula.
Conveying Communities: Strategies to increase awareness and engagement, support for community-led projects, and creating accessible resources for homeowners and local organisations.
Business Innovation: Turn knowledge into action by connecting academic, industry partners, local authorities and housing associations to tackle retrofit challenges at scale.
What’s next for Retrofit Scotland?
This workshop was an essential step in shaping the action plan for Retrofit Scotland, and the discussions will directly inform future initiatives. Key next steps include:
Refining the Retrofit Scotland platform based on feedback.
Expanding the Retrofit Scotland network by connecting more stakeholders and communities.
Developing a clear roadmap for action, prioritising the most impactful initiatives through our online webinars and in person Together Days.