KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
28th January 2021
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Rotpunkt urges KBB industry to support further education apprenticeships
German Kitchen furniture designer and manufacturer, Rotpunkt, shows its support for further education in the kitchen industry, following the successful submission by FIESTA [Furniture Industry Education & Skills Training Alliance], which has led to IFA [Institute for Apprenticeships] approving new Level 3 apprenticeship standards for Fitted Furniture Design.
Helping to 'provide a clear path into the kitchen industry', this announcement marks an important step for a qualification that sits just under the Level 4 & 5 FDA Foundation Degree in Kitchen Design, currently offered.
Chairman of TKET (The Kitchen Education Trust), Craig Matson says:"To get to this point has taken a lot of time & effort and special thanks should go to the Furniture Makers Company for the financial support they have given towards getting approval of this apprenticeship along with a number of others for the furniture industry.
"One of the next steps is to develop the existing Foundation Degree in Kitchen Design as an apprenticeship degree, and a survey is currently being circulated to establish the kitchen industry's appetite for developing higher education options to develop a professional pathway into the industry.
"Companies are urged to complete the following survey developed by FIESTA and on behalf of trade associations across the UK furniture and interiors industries, so that demand for any future developments can be established":
Matt Phillips (pictured), Head of UK Operations, Rotpunkt, says: "Having already completed the survey, we strongly urge UK kitchen retailers and fellow manufacturers to also have their say, impact opinion polls and ultimately, future production. Without feedback from industry influencers, leading brands and companies that make up our sector, how can we collectively maintain our competitive power? It is therefore my recommendation that we all take time to communicate our needs to the right industry bodies so that we can all become instrumental in the matter of further education.
"In fact, skills shortages are putting significant pressure on the kitchen industry, which is why apprenticeship schemes that encourage new levels of engagement are imperative to safeguard the future of highly skilled kitchen design that is qualified and cutting-edge."
FIESTA plans to call on schools with effect from March 2019, with a view to invite post-graduates to visit key manufacturers throughout a trial period. If successful, it plans to roll out this scheme across the UK and more information on this trial can be found here:
"The survey will close on 28th February 2019, so make sure you have your say and influence the future of the kitchen design industry," concludes Matt.
E: [email protected]
W: www.rotpunktuk.com / www.rotpunktkuechen.de
8th February 2019