Following unprecedented demand from potential apprentices, the British Institute of KBB Installation (BiKBBI) is urging more industry employers to get behind its Fitted Interiors Apprenticeship programme by creating more vacancies across the UK.
According to the BiKBBI, employers taking part in its KBB Fitted Interiors Apprenticeship programme – which was launched October 2021 to create career opportunities within the KBB installation sector and help combat the industry’s widening skills gap – have seen exceptional levels of interest from potential recruits, with over 30 applications for every vacancy that has been advertised so far.
As part of the initiative, which was backed by a three-year £250k funding pledge from Quooker, the BiKBBI also developed a support service, BiKBBI Skills Plus, in partnership with leading Apprenticeship Training Agency (ATA) The Apprenticeship Management Group, in a bid to make the process of taking on apprentices as easy as possible for employers.
However, despite the high levels of interest being shown by potential apprentices and the recruitment support being offered, the BiKBBI is urging more KBB businesses to get involved with the programme by offering apprenticeship positions.
BiKBBI CEO Damian Walters said: “The entire industry now needs to help us kick the programme on by opening up more apprenticeship vacancies. We know that installers are crying out for talent to help meet unprecedented levels of demand for high quality KBB installation. Our apprenticeship programme provides all of the answers to this call with a fit-for-purpose apprenticeship in the Level 2 Fitted Interiors programme; a package of support to help with recruitment; and a growing pool of enthusiastic candidates. The job now is to spread the word about all that is on offer.”
To help encourage more employers to take an active role, the BiKBBI has developed an ‘Apprenticeships Toolkit’. Available for free download, the toolkit provides a package of assets networks – including template emails and social media graphics – for the industry to download and use to help spread the word and encourage vacancies to be created.
Speaking of its experience of taking on a new apprentice through the BiKBBI scheme Colin Tomkins, director SystemXL – the company behind Redwood Kitchens and trade-focused KitchenXL – said: “Apprenticeships bring vital new blood to our beautiful kitchen industry. Let’s train them well, celebrate their successes and help them set and achieve their goals – it’s a long haul, but the best formula to shape and build the workforce we want and need.”
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