An unprecedented change has taken place in the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom sector over the last 30 years, transforming the domestic home, which has been assisted by increased wealth and greater expectations of the general public resulting in major lifestyle changes which currently shows little chance of abating. A trend set to continue.

The kitchen, bedroom and bathroom sector has reached a crucial stage where markets continue to increase but the skills needed to design and install the advanced equipment are becoming scarcer. With a market of £5bn per year in the UK the KBB sector is a significant part of the construction industry and one which needs the skills supply maintained to meet demand.

The KBB National Training Group (NTG) is the first and only co-ordinated body of its type. Headed up by Uwe Hanneck, CEO of BSH Home Appliances and made up of industry leaders who are committed to channelling their support and assistance to address the skills issue. The challenge of facilitating and promoting training will be a difficult one and needs the KBB sector to unite and work together to address.

It is becoming clear that skill shortages are appearing around the country and without focussed and co-ordinated attention by all bodies within the sector, the market demands will not be met, design and installation skills shortfall could potentially cost companies dearly.

In January 2007 the KBBNTG launched the first portfolio of courses aimed at providing training in all areas from Design, Installation, Building Regs Compliance, Sales, Marketing and a range of 'People Skills'. We listened to the needs of the industry and together with training providers, who have been vetted and NTG approved, developed courses to meet these needs.

These courses need to be taken up by our industry as training and education for the KBB sector has never been more important than it is today. With new building regulations being put in place, it is the responsibility of the industry to keep abreast of these, which can only be done through regular training and upskilling. The introduction of the Home Information Pack will ensure that each job that is notifiable must include a completion certificate, without which companies and individuals stand to be heavily fined.

To sustain the development of the KBB sector we need to be looking towards the younger generations that will be coming into our industry. To ensure these steps have been taken starting at grass roots level with the KBB industry being introduced to young entrants leaving schools and colleges.

The KBBNTG are passionate in their intent to develop this path and have a program underway in Nottingham. In partnership with the Nottingham LEA and South Nottingham College (SNC), a class of 15 year old students are working towards a diploma that includes Kitchen and Bathroom design, a first for the KBB industry. In September South Nottingham College will start a young apprenticeship scheme in Kitchen Installation for 14 year olds. A bid for government funding for this scheme was secured. The perfect lead into the two year apprenticeship scheme launched this January being delivered in three centres around the UK.

CAD software sponsored by Planit International is enabling the students to explore the benefits of Computer Aided Design and how it fits into today's KBB market. The industry needs to support initiatives such as this to secure a maintained career path for school leavers.

I have been disappointed in the initial uptake of the courses, given the size and urgent need of industry training, but do not intend giving up on the great start that the NTG have made. The courses we have delivered to date, Kitchen Installation, Principles of Kitchen Design, Implications and Application of Current Building Regulations, Sales and Customer Care, have proved beyond doubt that those companies and individuals that have invested in the training are now benefiting from the great value it has added to their businesses. We have some wonderful case studies already.

For this great initiative to grow in momentum and secure the future of the KBB Industry, more courses need to be developed. These courses need to represent the industry as it is today and keep developing as the industry's needs evolve, as products and innovations change.

The current portfolio of courses has been developed with the steer and expertise of the NTG Board which is represented by a cross section of the KBB industry. However, we need the support of the whole market to make this work.

We value your opinion and if anyone has any suggestions that could assist in developing the portfolio of courses facilitated by the NTG then please make contact; we want to hear from you.
 
Contact details:
w: www.kbbntg.com
t: 0115 984 3912

The KBB NTG will host a series of three workshops entitled, 'Training People for the Industry by the Industry' at this year's Bathroom & Kitchen Expo. To register free to attend visit www.bkexpo.co.uk