The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) has revealed there has been unprecedented interest in its apprenticeship programme as the first recruits embark on their installation careers, but is calling for more employers to come on board.

Launched last October, the programme has been billed as ‘a major intervention’ to support the long-term future of the industry’s workforce. Working with a network of strategic partners in the development of the KBB Fitted Interiors Apprenticeship, BiKBBI says it has created a solution that enables installers to take on apprentices without having to deal with complications such as recruitment, employment and training provision, whilst creating job opportunities for hundreds of young people via a national network of approved Centres of Excellence.

BiKBBI has developed the programme and the associated support service, BiKBBI Skills Plus, in partnership with leading apprenticeship training agency The Apprenticeship Management Group. It has also been driving interest with an outreach programme that is promoting the KBB industry as a viable career option to school-leavers nationwide.

However, despite the high levels of interest being shown by potential apprentices and the recruitment support being offered to employers, BiKBBI chief executive Damian Walters is warning that there remain several pockets of ‘employer inactivity’ in parts of the UK. 

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.”