Specialist provider, Simon Acres Group Limited has partnered with Phil Beechinor for the latest instalment of its ‘Industry Legends’ series. The future of the KBB industry hinges on attracting and training more apprentices to meet the demand for kitchen installations. Simon and Phil delve into the challenges of empowering the next generation to fill this gap.
Phil is the managing director at Alexander Kitchens, a family-run kitchen, bedroom and bathroom specialist with showrooms in Horsham and Worthing. With 40 years of experience in the KBB industry and having started as a kitchen fitter, Phil is a stalwart supporter of the importance of installers and recognises the need for new talent to join the industry.
Alexander provides a complete design and management service for KBB projects and has an in-house installation team that coordinates everything, including plumbing, electrical, and ancillary work. Its award-winning installation service is a key factor in the business’s success. In the Industry Legends video, Phil and Simon discuss the need to attract a new generation of installers to join the KBB industry.
Phil says: “Apprenticeships should be seen as a viable and appealing alternative to university. The experience of seeing a project come to life, working in different environments, and interacting with different people is incredibly valuable. Two employees that have worked at Alexander for over 25 years both started out as apprentices. It’s a fantastic route to go down and we need to combat the lack of awareness about the apprenticeship qualification standards available in the KBB sector.
“Everyone has a kitchen and bathroom, it’s a relatable industry, but it’s fundamental that young people understand its scope. Let’s encourage one another to not just shout about completed projects, beautiful new products and the most expensive kitchens. As an industry I think we could do more to share the work of young installers. Social media is a powerful tool, and if we share an apprentice’s first kitchen fit or solo design, we’re sure to attract new talent into the sector with relatable content.”
Simon Acres, managing director, Simon Acres Group, adds: “It was fascinating speaking to Phil and learning from his experience and first-hand appreciation of installers. In the Industry Legends video, Phil shares thoughts on what can be done to improve the apprenticeship uptake within the KBB industry, as well as insights into the success of Alexander.”
Click here to watch the Industry Legends video with Phil Beechinor.
For more information or to discuss your options for hiring an apprentice, please call the Simon Acres Group team on 0203 701 6660 or email info@simonacres.co.uk. To find out more about Simon Acres Group, visit the website: https://simonacres.co.uk/.
