The KBSA has announced it will be providing bursaries for two Buckinghamshire New University students starting their kitchen design foundation degree this September.
The two students to receive the financial bursaries are Rubina Hughes, showroom owner at Zara Kitchen Design in Wokingham and Sophie Hughes, a trainee designer at Qudaus Living in Sutton Coldfield.
Hughes has worked in a kitchen showroom environment since she left the IT industry 17 years ago and now runs her own showroom with her husband.
Owen joined Qudaus around two years ago with no previous experience in design or sales and has completed a Level 3 qualification in business administration since she has been with the company, as well as undergoing in-house training.
Both students will receive a financial contribution towards their course fees for each of the three years of the foundation degree course.
This is the first time that The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has provided student bursaries for the course, which, it says, reinforces its commitment to training and education within the industry.
Commenting on the move, KBSA national chair Richard Hibbert said: “We know that the course is well regarded by employers and that many KBB organisations also support students that wish to build their careers, and expand their knowledge in this way. It is a blended learning course that is suitable for designers at every stage of their career, as can be seen from Sophie and Rubina’s career profiles.”
He added: “The KBSA is committed to supporting training and education in our industry in any way we can. Other students wishing to apply for a bursary can contact the KBSA for further information.”
At Bucks New Uni, kitchen degree course leader Jayne Hall Cunnick said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support and encouragement we have received from the KBSA in the development of the new and upgraded provisions and humbled by the financial and other support being offered to students. Industry engagement and support is critical to the ongoing relevance and success of the kitchen design degree courses, as well as the future of the industry.”
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