Over half (54%) of tradespeople have said they’ve noticed an increase in requests from customers for jobs that will make their homes more sustainable, from installing a heat pump to water-efficient bathroom fittings, over the past five years.

However, almost one in four (22%) feel they do not have the knowledge or skills to retrofit homes to make them greener. Fewer than one in five tradespeople know how to fit a solar panel (15%) or a heat pump (17%).

More than one in four (28%) said a lack of government support for training was the reason why they felt they didn’t know skills to retrofit homes, while more than one in five (23%) said that they didn’t know where to look for information about green skills training.

This comes as a separate Kingfisher survey revealed 88% of the British public believe the UK needs more skilled tradespeople to meet the evolving needs of UK homes.

The shortage in green skills is part of a wider challenge for trade industries identified by Kingfisher research published last month, which revealed the UK is on course to face a shortage of 250,000 tradespeople by 2030, costing the economy an estimated £98bn.

To ensure the UK has enough tradespeople to help deliver its net-zero targets, Kingfisher is proposing three policy areas where government could make a meaningful difference:

• Stronger career advice in schools to encourage young people to take up a trade career
• Hiring incentives to support SMEs in taking on, training, and retaining apprentices
• Cost of living support to ensure trade apprenticeships are financially viable for young people.