Regeneration: Building Skills & Healthier Homes

Regeneration: Building Skills & Healthier Homes

Regeneration isn’t just about bricks and mortar—it’s about people. Poor-quality housing impacts health, job prospects, and overall well-being. In this episode, Tom Lam, Group Strategy Director at Re:Gen, shares how his organisation is bridging the skills gap in retrofit and regeneration while improving homes and communities.

Housing & Health – Poor housing can lead to illness, absence from work/school, and fuel poverty.

Skills Crisis – The retrofit sector faces workforce shortages due to economic cycles and lack of long-term planning. Mark Farmer’s report highlights these issues.

Re:Gen Academy – A non-profit skills programme helping social housing residents gain sustainable employment in retrofit and construction.

Employer-Led Training – Connecting local people with SME supply chains ensures meaningful job placements.

Success Stories – The Pennywell Regeneration Project in Sunderland led to six previously unemployed residents securing full-time jobs.

Collaboration is Key – Housing providers can unlock employment opportunities by adapting procurement strategies.

Want to replicate this success? Focus on outcome-driven, employer-led initiatives tailored to community needs.