ABBE Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management
About this course
Course dates:
29 September – 8 December 2025 (11 weeks) and 5 – 26 January 2026 (4 weeks), Mondays 5.30 - 8pm, 15 weeks, term-time only
This course gives you the knowledge and skills you need to become a Retrofit Coordinator; a crucial new role required by PAS2035 standards. It is ideal for built environment professionals looking to further their career managing retrofit projects.
The course is led by practising professionals who will draw expertise from specialist guest speakers who are working in housing associations and heritage roles, as well as retrofit designers and installers, including those involved in RdSAP training.
Test cases and case studies will be provided.
The role of the Retrofit Coordinator was introduced by PAS2035, and is mandatory on all domestic retrofit projects delivered under TrustMark. TrustMark is the recognised Quality Mark for the energy efficiency sector and compliance with TrustMark and PAS 2035 is required by government-funded schemes
Central to PAS2035, the role protects homeowners and clients by managing projects in compliance with the Standard. Without Retrofit Coordinators, there is no assurance that the high standards required and vast volume of installs will be reached, and the effects of that would be felt globally.
On completion of this qualification, you will be able to apply to be a registered Retrofit Coordinator via an application to a TrustMark approved Retrofit Coordinator Scheme Provider.
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By completing this course you will begin to play a vital role in the delivery of the UK's net zero ambition. -
Holding this qualification is required by all of TrustMark’s Accreditation Scheme providers in order to become a registered Retrofit Coordinator. -
On successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate of attendance and a digital badge. -
Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practices.
What you’ll study
The course will ensure you cover the range of topics required by PAS2035, these include:
- Introduction to domestic retrofit
- Assessing dwellings for retrofit
- Retrofit assurance and risk management
- Building physiology
- Understand how to improve building fabric
- Improving building fabric
- Improving building services
- Improving air tightness and ventilation
- Improvement option valuation and medium term retrofit plans
- Post retrofit testing, monitoring and evaluation
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
How you're taught
Teaching and learning will take place via a programme of workshops, demonstrations, seminar groups and tutorials.
Further information
You will be assessed via a portfolio of work.
You will receive 52.5 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Tutor Profile:
Ashley Crawford is a Lecturer in Sustainable Construction and Retrofit at Nottingham Trent University. He teaches modules on sustainable building practices and retrofitting, focusing on energy efficiency and property compliance. His courses are designed to equip students with the skills necessary for addressing climate challenges in the built environment.
As a lecturer, Ash plays a key role in developing industry-relevant course materials and helping students understand the evolving practices of sustainable construction and retrofitting.
Before joining NTU, Ash had over 20 years of experience in the built environment sector. His career began as an electrician, eventually leading him to manage a successful Chartered Surveying Practice. He specializes in energy assessments, retrofit coordination, and sustainability consulting, working closely with housing associations and local authorities to meet sustainability goals.
Ash earned his MSc in Building Surveying in 2018 at Nottingham Trent University and mentored many apprenticeships in construction. Ash is an award-winning Retrofit Assessor and Coordinator and a Retrofit industry leader having worked with the British Standards Institute and RICS formulating Retrofit regulation.
Careers and employability
Certificate of attendance and digital badge
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate of attendance and a digital badge powered by Accredible.
Your digital credential is more than just a certificate – it’s secure, verifiable, and protected against fraud through encryption and blockchain technology.
They also come with detailed metadata, including an overview of the skills you have achieved on the course, evidence of completion, and assessment criteria if appropriate.
Share your achievements seamlessly with friends, customers, and potential employers online, and proudly add your badge or certificate to social media platforms such as LinkedIn, so all the right people can see it.
Campus and facilities
City Campus facilities
Many of your lectures and seminars will take place in the Newton building on our City Campus.
IT resources
Our IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across our City Campus, with PCs providing access to Microsoft Office, email, web browsing, networked file storage and high-speed online printing services, with a free printing allowance for each student.
Resource rooms are available 24 hours a day.
Books and library resources
Our state-of-the-art Boots library will give you access to an extensive and diverse range of books and periodicals that focus on specialist areas within the built environment. The library's OneSearch system provides access to all our electronic resources, journals and books.
Within the library there is a liaison librarian who has specialist subject knowledge and can offer detailed help in finding and using print and electronic resources, and also with areas such as Harvard referencing and research skills.
Workshops and laboratories
Our Maudslay building boasts a number of industry-standard workshops and facilities. Supported by a team of expert technical staff, we offer woodwork and metal workshops, model-making studios, structural testing equipment, concrete, soil and materials laboratories.
Entry requirements
Learners taking this qualification would need to have experience of working in construction or the built environment for a minimum of 2 years within the past 5 years. Proof of this is required via a CV or employers testimony/letter.
To apply for this course you must have:
- be over the age of 19;
- have a qualification in a built environment subject that is at least Level 3 with a minimum of 12 UCAS credits.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £1,500.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
Secure your place with a deposit - If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £500 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.
The Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management is eligible for the CITB short-term qualifications grant, up to £600. Find out more about the CITB short qualification grant
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.
How to apply
Please read the guidance notes and complete the application form.
You should then email your form to be considered by the academic team.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: cpdbe@ntu.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 2813
