iKBBI MEMBERSHIP TIER ANNOUNCEMENT

MEMBERSHIP RESTRUCTURE SET TO WIDEN

The iKBBI this announced recently that membership tiers will be evolving for 2016.

Here are the finer details; currently, there is one level of accreditation available to domestic installers of KBB product. However, in January 2016 the iKBBI is set to launch a five-tier system that will mark one of the biggest changes since it’s launch in 2007. The current single level accreditation will be replaced by five new categories:

Master This tier recognising those domestic installers who have achieved 5-years or more of continuous membership to the iKBBI. This is a group of professionals who have committed to long-term positive change within their industry and have a proven track record of excellence. Domestic This replaces our current membership tier and is for either independent installers operating in the B2C domestic environment, or those installers who work with local, regional or national retail Installation Standards Partners.

MEMBERSHIP RESTRUCTURE SET TO WIDEN iKBBI REACH

Contract This level of accreditation is for KBB installers who solely install in the new build sector. In July, the huge kitchen manufacturing brand Omega PLC, became the first to commit to the new contract level of accreditation. Talks with other suppliers in this sector are ongoing and we hope the results can soon be announced.

Engineer Available to installers of domestic appliances, gas and electrical contractors, remedial installers and worktop fabricators, this low cost membership will help network trade professionals with our Installation Standards Partners and those domestic installers looking for sub-contracted support. The iKBBI has agreed a deal with a national B2C appliance retailer and 700 selfemployed engineers will become the first wave of members in this category. Apprentice This will be an entry-level accreditation, available to students studying initially at PROCAT College for Advanced Technology (for details see pages 6 -7). Membership is FREE for the duration of the course and for 12 months after course completion. The iKBBI, in a historic deal, has agreed that before Christmas 2015 up to 1,000 new apprentices will become the first generation to join at apprentice level.

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... cont New tier pricing and criteria will be published in December, although iKBBI Communication Manager Denise Mayell added: “It has always been our ethos to keep costs to an absolute minimum for our valued members. Since the launch in 2007, there has only been one small increase to cover additional costs, remembering the institute operates on a not-for-profit basis, we will not be looking to incorporate any significant increases for membership and in some instances, membership fees will decrease!” The iKBBI Installation Standards partnership, or iSP initiative is also under review with a focus on increasing the network of independent retailers. Over 500 invites will be sent in the New Year, inviting them to attend KBB Birmingham 2016 event at The National Exhibition Centre (NEC) 6-9th March.

iKBBI CEO, Damian Walters, added: “The restructure has been a long time coming, but has only been possible to consider based on our continued growth over the last 2-3 years. We are attracting phenomenal attention from some amazing businesses that operate in and around the KBB industry, so it’s only right that as an institute, we evolve to bring them into the organisation.”