Damian Walters, CEO of the British Institute of Kitchen Bedroom and Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI), has welcomed the Government’s ambitious plans to invest heavily in Artificial Intelligence (AI), but warned that policies should not come at the expense of investing in our workforce.
Discussing the need for a balanced approach for AI technology in the KBB industry, Walters said he was pleased to hear about prime minister Kier Starmer’s plans for the UK to focus heavily on the technology going forward. Walters commented: “The focus on AI and the substantial investment in this transformative technology is a promising step towards revolutionising various sectors, including our own KBB industry – contributing to Britain’s ambition to become an AI super power, as set out by the PM today.
“AI has the potential to significantly enhance customer experience in the KBB sector. From personalised design and planning to efficient project management, logistics and pricing, AI can streamline processes and provide customers with tailored solutions that meet their unique needs. The integration of AI into our industry could lead to more innovative designs based on a consumers budget and online shopping history, faster project completions, and ultimately, higher customer satisfaction.”
However, he also warned that while the technology could be beneficial for the KBB sector, he feels that the government should be doing more to invest in humans, instead of prioritising funding for AI.
Walters continued: “it is crucial to remember that technology should complement, not replace, the human element. The government’s investment in AI must not come at the expense of investing in our workforce, which it feels like it perhaps is. It is my opinion that government should be doing much more in the support of businesses to invest in humans.”
“Trust me, I don’t want to be the farrier opposing the industrial revolution because ultimately, I am a huge champion of tech and believer in AI, but our industry is so very dependent on people – and most likely, always will be. The KBB industry thrives on the skills, creativity, and dedication of our professionals. It is their expertise that brings designs to life and ensures the highest standards of installation and customer service. Unless government invest in this, through Apprenticeships as an example, these skills will continue to be lost and our industry’s ability to meet construction and home improvement targets – incidentally, targets set by government themselves.”
Walters has long been a vocal supporter of apprenticeships in the KBB industry, arguing they are an answer to the skills gap crisis that the sector is facing. At the most recent BiKBBI Conference, he lamented the low numbers of apprentice installers joining the KBB industry, calling the lower-than-expected number of new apprentices joining the industry over the prior 12 months a “tragedy”.
In his statement on AI, Walters proposed apprenticeships as “one of the most obvious aspects of the government’s challenge” to meet housing targets, continuing, “by providing hands-on training and real-world experience, apprenticeships ensure that we have a steady pipeline of talent ready to meet the demands of our evolving industry. It is essential that we increase our commitment to these programs to safeguard the future of our workforce.”
In other recent news, BiKBBI recently unveiled its new AiM initiative, a scheme designed to create a recognised industry standard that reduces risk, demonstrates credibility, and provides quality assurance to all stakeholders involved in the KBB installation process.
Walters recently spoke to kbbreview about the importance of the new scheme, where he stressed “I cannot emphasise enough the significance of this accreditation for businesses and the broader industry”.
