The Government has granted approval for the development of a new Trailblazer Apprenticeship scheme for fitted interiors.
News that apprenticeships and skills minister Robert Halfon (pictured) had approved the scheme was confirmed by the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI).
The new-style Apprenticeship Standard will cover the three areas of kitchen, bedroom and bathroom installation, and is designed to give people the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to forge a career in the industry.
Speaking on behalf of the BiKBBI, chief executive Damian Walters said: “I can confirm that I will be meeting with our own educational task force next week, in preparation for a meeting with representatives from the Department for Education, various interested employers and organisations and the Construction Industry Training Board [CITB] on the March 1. The objective of both meetings is to ensure that our area of the industry is fully represented in the development of this exciting new apprenticeship.”
The BiKBBI education task force is made up of representatives from several national retailers, including B&Q, Bathstore, John Lewis and Omega, as well as Homebase, Wickes and Wren. The group also has representation from The Furniture Makers Company, Trading Standards and a number of its SME installer members.