The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI), in conjunction with the Prospects College of Advanced Technology (PROCAT), has launched a Level Two Apprenticeship in Fitted Interiors.

Starting in September at the Basildon-based PROCAT, the apprenticeship is open to all ages and genders and covers installation, as well as legislation such as health & safety and consumer rights, plus customer service.

Damian Walters, CEO of BiKBBI commented on the course content: “It will cover kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms installation, in areas including tiling, plastering, flooring, lighting, electrics and gas safety. They will develop a really good understanding for delivering a project.

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“The apprentices will spend 80% of their time hands-on with their employers, and 20% would be spent in the college environment. We want to create the foundation for micro SME businesses.”

The BiKBBI initially hopes for 16 apprentices to enrol on the course, however Damien Walters adds: “We can’t stop at that point. We’ve got to build momentum so that we’re continuously churning apprentices and employers through the system.”

According to Walters, the apprenticeship will help to address the lack of educational pathways and lack of trained installers, exacerbated by a drop in the European workforce.

He commented the uncertainty surrounding Brexit had seen BiKBBI’s EU members decline by 33%.

Walters continued, stating the impact of a lack of installers will see higher fitting costs for retailers and consumers: “The value of those left in the industry will increase; the price you pay today for a kitchens and bathrooms installer will be very different to the price you will pay in three or four years.”

The expectation is that following two years of the course running at PROCAT, it will be rolled out nationally.

Walters concluded: “What would I like to see in five years? I would like to see five or six colleges strategically placed around the country, regardless of whether you’re in Billericay or Sunderland, you’re going to get access to this course.”

Pictured (from L to R): Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock; Ros Parker, principal of PROCAT; Damian Walters, CEO of BiKBBI; Ian Rist, head of building & construction at PROCAT