LIFT OFF FOR APPRENTICESHIPS

LIFT OFF

FOR APPRENTICESHIPS!

Stephen Johnson, Quooker (UK), Managing Director

In mid-January, almost seventy key industry people including, press and other stakeholders attended an online event where the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation made a key announcement, and present how it will facilitate a huge acceleration in the growth of its already celebrated BiKBBI Installation Apprenticeship initiative.

The breaking news was that Quooker has become the latest brand to support the institute, and how! The company has agreed to invest a six-figure some into the BiKBBI with a specific focus on fast-tracking plans to extend the reach of KBB installation Apprenticeship scheme.

The investment from Quooker, the first instalment of a three-year package of support for BiKBBI, will drive the institute towards delivering the first phase of what it calls ‘Operation Next-Gen.’ This initiative involves delivering intensified promotion of KBB apprenticeship opportunities to the next generation.

The investment from Quooker, the first instalment of a threeyear package of support for BiKBBI, will drive the institute towards delivering the first phase of what it calls ‘Operation Next-Gen.’ This initiative involves delivering intensified promotion of KBB apprenticeship opportunities to the next generation – predominantly secondary school students in years 9-11.

Quooker (UK) Managing Director Stephen Johnson (pictured) who spoke at the event said, “We’ve undergone some of the toughest trading conditions our industry has ever faced. At Quooker, we too have felt the strain of this crisis. We’ve seen first-hand how its affected smaller independent retailers and how changing consumer habits have dramatically impacted sales. However, during these difficult times, brands are faced with two choices – to shrivel up and remain inwardly focused, or to work together, sharing expertise, resources and help the industry rebuild, recover and thrive”.

In a somewhat emotional event that reviewed challenges faced by the industry and Apprenticeships from September. The Institute will use the learnings and blueprint from their successful pilot of the scheme in the South East to roll the scheme out nationally.

CEO Damian Walters announcement Damian summarised by adding, “There is an ever growing skills gap that needs tackling fast; no-one else will fix the issue of building a future workforce on the scale required and so I call upon other brands to

“There is an ever growing skills gap that needs tackling fast; no-one else will fix the issue of building a future workforce on the scale required and so I call upon other brands to follow Quooker’s lead on this topic as we critically need more brands to get behind our efforts”.

organisation over the last year, CEO Damian Walters and Chris Parry, Director of Ops for www. protectmyinstall.co.uk discussed the BiKBBI’s plans to open ten new Centres of Excellence regionally across England, ready for the delivery of KBB Fitted Interior closed the event by giving his heartfelt thanks to his team, members, retail partners and corporate sponsors, stating that “without them, we would not be in a position to support the industry as we are.” Speaking in reference to the apprenticeship follow Quooker’s lead on this topic as we critically need more brands to get behind our efforts”.

The institute remains optimistic about the future of the industry, sharing news that membership increased overall in 2020,continuing an upward trend as the organisation enters its 15th year of incorporation.

Director of Operations at Protected, Chris Parry, provided an update that confirmed “impressive and diverse retailer uptake” and the scheme’s protection of “tens of thousands of pounds of consumer and installer money during BETA testing”. Parry confirmed that it would “welcome conversation from any retailer who wanted another installation option for their customers”.

BiKBBI confirmed that it would keep the industry updated over the next few weeks, to include new retail relationships and a Director of Education that will lead the organisations L&D strategy moving forward.

Exciting times at BiKBBI and much needed change now in full swing.

www.bikbbi.org

Rob Nicholls, Publisher & Editor, BiKBBI The Installer Magazine

SKILLS GAP - A GREAT START BUT SO MUCH MORE IS REQUIRED!

The news that Quooker has invested and made such a huge commitment to the BiKBBI Apprenticeship Initiative is the most exciting and encouraging announcement in recent memory.

I applaud MD Stephen Johnson and his colleagues for recognising the widening skills gap and acting to help arrest a worrying situation, but to be frank, the BiKBBI, even with Quooker’s help, has a monumental task in front of it and so much more is required to ensure success. It’s vital therefore that others also commit.

It needs for kbb manufacturers, distributors, retailers and installers to

invest time and budget where possible and for installation companies to get on board by offering apprenticeship work placements. If this kind of support is generated it will ensure that the nationwide roll-out of the apprenticeship initiative bears fruit in years to come and will keep opportunist cowboy installers from damaging public perception of our brilliant industry.

So please, I urge you, get on board and play your part. You can register your interest in the first instance by contacting Erin Sealy at the BiKBBI: