Every day, builders’ merchant and hardware store staff are asked about insulation, heating systems, and ventilation. With retrofit demand set to grow sharply, having confident, knowledgeable staff on the shop floor isn’t just good service – it’s good business.
That’s why Hardware Association Ireland (HAI), SEAI and the National Construction Training Campus at Mount Lucas have come together to create Retrofit Skills for Sales. This fully funded, one-day course gives builders merchant and hardware store employees the know-how to guide customers through energy upgrades – from roof insulation to heat pumps – and to explain the government grants available.
The strength of this partnership lies in the complementary expertise each organisation brings. Hardware Association Ireland ensures the training is rooted in the day-to-day reality of the sector and responds directly to the needs of stores and their staff. SEAI provides the national context, linking product knowledge with government schemes and the wider energy efficiency agenda. Mount Lucas contributes its unique practical expertise as Ireland’s National Construction Training Campus, translating years of hands-on experience in NZEB and retrofit into a focused course tailored for the retail environment.
The retrofit push is not a short-term trend. Ireland’s Climate Action Plan sets ambitious targets for upgrading 500,000 homes by 2030 on the path to net zero. Meeting that goal won’t just happen on building sites – it starts at the counter of every builder’s merchant and hardware store where homeowners seek advice. By upskilling your team, you’re positioning your business to meet this demand and benefit
from a market that will only keep growing.
For builders merchants and hardware stores, the opportunity is clear. Every customer query about insulation, heating controls, or ventilation is a potential sale. Staff who understand both the products and the grants available can convert questions into confident recommendations, ensuring your store becomes the trusted local hub for retrofit advice.
Retrofit is here to stay. With the right training – and the right collaboration behind it – hardware staff can turn knowledge into sales, and sales into loyal customers, while also playing their part in Ireland’s sustainable future.
Find out more and register your staff at info@mountlucas.ie.
Course Title: Retrofit for Sales
Course Description
Ireland’s retrofit market is growing fast – and builders’ merchant and hardware staff are at the centre of it. This fully funded, one-day course gives builders merchant and hardware retail employees the skills and confidence to advise customers on home energy upgrades and the products they need. Developed in partnership with Hardware Association Ireland and SEAI, and delivered by Mount Lucas, the National Construction Training Campus, this training links product knowledge with practical retrofit expertise.
Who is it for?
Trade counter staff in a builder’s merchant and hardware store, floor staff, and sales teams who deal with customer queries on insulation, heating, ventilation, or retrofit products. No technical background is needed.
What will I learn?
– How SEAI grants work and who can apply
– The main causes of home heat loss and how to address them
– Insulation types, heating controls, and heating systems
– Basics of airtightness and ventilation
– How to connect customer needs to the right products in-store
Why take this course?
– Gain confidence in answering retrofit-related queries
– Help customers understand products and grants
– Build trust and repeat business for your store
– Be part of Ireland’s national retrofit journey
Duration: 1 day
Cost: Fully funded
Delivery: Classroom-based with real-world examples from Mount Lucas
Certification: LOETB Certificate of Completion & CPD Hours
