The Institute for Apprenticeships (IFA) has approved the Level 3 apprenticeship standards for the Fitted Furniture Design Technician.

It follows the submission, last November, by the Furniture Industry Education and Skills Training Alliance (FIESTA).

It means the Level 3 apprenticeship is now a recognised qualification and sits just under the current Level 4 and 5 FDA Foundation Degree in Kitchen Design.

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Kitchen manufacturers, such as Cosentino have lent financial support to the Foundation Degree in Kitchen Design by offering scholarships.

The approval of the Fitted Furniture Design Technician apprenticeship helps to create a professional pathway into the kitchen industry.

Chair of The Kitchen Education Trust (TKET) Craig Matson said: “To get to this point has taken a lot of time and 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.

“A survey is being circulated to establish the kitchen industry’s appetite for developing the higher education options and should be completed by as many companies as possible, if they believe in developing a professional pathway into the industry.”

In addition, FIESTA is also driving an initiative to make schools aware of the opportunities for school leavers in the kitchen industry, with a trial in March.

It will involves inviting schools to visit manufacturers to find out about the kitchen industry.