07 Jul 2026
By Steven Kiakowski, Director of Green Skills at Fedcap’s The Verdancy Group.
The recent heatwaves serve as a timely reminder of the climate emergency facing us all – and there will no doubt be lots spoken about it in the coming days as part of Net Zero Week 2026.
Achieving Net Zero is in The Verdancy Group’s DNA and, as a new Glasgow Chamber of Commerce member, we’re signed up and fully committed to supporting the city as it works towards this goal.
The transition to Net Zero is accelerating demand for practical green skills across retrofit, renewables and energy efficiency.
Glasgow City Region has already identified that retrofitting the city’s homes is central to meeting our national and local Net Zero carbon emissions targets, and will help to tackle fuel poverty, provide greater energy security and lower household energy bills.
It will create a significant number of jobs while making homes in Glasgow more energy efficient and warmer. It will reduce carbon emissions by accelerating the installation of energy efficiency measures and clean heat systems.
Yet, last year an independent study found that half of domestic properties would require retrofit interventions. For employers and organisations this presents both a major opportunity and a critical workforce challenge – ensuring teams have the right skills to deliver high-quality work, meet standards, and respond to growing demand.
As investment and activity across retrofit and low-carbon technologies increase, employers who invest in green skills now will be better placed to secure work, meet standards and stay competitive – and contribute to achieving Net Zero.
The Verdancy Group’s Apex Training arm, which opened its headquarters in Hamilton in April, works with employers, housing providers, contractors and community partners to deliver practical, industry-relevant training that builds workforce capability and supports effective project delivery.
Apex Training provides practical, hands-on courses designed to build competence in quality delivery in retrofit, insulation and ventilation, damp and mould, energy efficiency and renewables.
The Verdancy Group is looking forward to working with Chamber members and contributing proactively to its work towards achieving Net Zero.
Building on hosting COP 2026, it would be fitting if Glasgow, with such an amazing reputation for innovation and industry, can take a lead across Scotland – and further afield – and achieve Net Zero ahead of many others.
Through the commitment and collaboration we’ve experienced since we based our UK operations here, we’re sure that it can.
