I recently met with the kitchen installer that I first worked with 35 years ago, when we were both young new entrants into the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom industry.

We spent about three hours mulling over how we see the industry now compared to back in the 1970s and one thing stood out more than anything and that is how far the product has come on. That's not to mention the introduction of compliance and regulations, which we did not have back then, and the speed and pressure at which we all work under these days to reach consumer's aspirations and demands to satisfy their lifestyles and needs.

Over the past couple of months I have been invited as a guest to visit several manufacturers of furniture, lighting, fittings and surface boards. It made me realise why I have remained in the industry for as long as I have, it still puts a fire in my belly when I see exciting products being developed and the potential for their application from a design aspect.

These products are not only being developed for their individuality or style content but we are constantly encouraged to support sustainable design and energy conservation.

So, to survive the current downturn in the economy, would this not be the time to drive your business ahead of the competition by investing in some serious training? The skills required to deliver and successfully specify these cutting edge innovations as well as sustainable products can surely only be done through training?

Whenever I deliver the course on the principles of kitchen and bathroom design, I ask the delegates attending how much product training they receive and how often they go to trade shows to keep abreast of new product development? The answers I receive are disappointing. I know that manufacturers offer product training courses and I know as a professional specifier myself, how invaluable these courses are to both the designer and the installer.

Is it the retailer/owner who is not sending their staff to these up-skilling courses and trade shows? My delegates certainly seem very keen to learn much more about the products they recommend to their clients, so does it not make complete sense to engage in whatever training is available to our industry to ultimately must make us sharper, more competitive and most importantly 'professional' in the true sense?

Architects are required to attend regular CPD courses to ensure they not only keep up with current trends and styles, but also products and building regulations that change almost monthly. From where I am sitting with the industry experience I have, is this not the route we should be adopting?

Kitchen, bedroom and bathroom product today is exciting, innovative, and sophisticated. In the light of this the NTG is working very hard to produce a new suite of courses that will tackle new product, new design, and new regulations that truly reflect the professional industry we are. The designer who knows the product they are specifying and the installer who understands exactly how to install it must give any business the edge on the competition.

Renee Mascari, KBB National Training Group

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