How retrofit leaders learn: six reflections for Learning at Work Week

The theme of Learning at Work Week 2026 was “Many ways to learn”. In the energy transition, learning rarely happens only in a classroom or through a qualification. It happens on site, through lived experience, by solving problems and by taking on new challenges.

We spoke to leaders across retrofit, housing and energy about the ways they have learned throughout their careers, and their advice for others.

Learning on site

“I’ve learned from being on site, solving problems and working on different types of schemes and projects. That’s what’s given me a practical understanding of what actually works and what doesn’t.”

Ben Whiterod, Head of Retrofit at Guildmore. Read Ben’s interview.

Working and learning at once

“I’ve always worked and learned at the same time.”

Gemma French, Founder and Director at GJF Strategic Advisory Limited. Read Gemma’s interview.

Trusting that experience will come

“If you’re starting out in something new or you’re learning new skills, take a breath and trust that the experience and skills will come if you have the right attitude.”

Matthew Allcock, Retrofit Technical Lead at Baily Garner. Read Matthew’s interview.

Making your own opportunities

“Create opportunities for your learning and growth, because they are not going to land in your lap.”

Andrew Tod, Head of Energy Transformation at Sureserve. Read Andrew’s interview.

Needing lived skills, not only a course

“I came away from an intensive, reading-heavy retrofit coordinator course thinking: Do I feel like I could be a retrofit coordinator? I needed those lived skills, or at least a half-decent webinar or an opportunity to speak to other people, and that was lacking.”

Laura Marks, Decarbonisation Project Manager at United Infrastructure and NHDG Innovation Chair. Read Laura’s interview.

Learning to grow

“I realised that to grow, I needed to learn more skills.”

Muhammad Irfan, Founder and CEO of IZ Energy. Read Muhammad’s interview.

What this means for teams

Lifelong learning looks different for everyone. What these reflections share is that people become ready for the work by doing it, practising it and learning from others, not only by completing a course.

That is the thinking behind Greenworkx: practical learning that fits around the job, and a clear view of each person’s readiness. See how it works.