Kitchens & Bathrooms News · 12 April 2023

Apprenticeships are key to success

Published by Kitchens & Bathrooms News on 12 April 2023, this feature looked at apprenticeships through Liberty Fitting Service’s experience of bringing people into the trade. It explained why a KBB apprenticeship could offer a worthwhile route for a school-leaver or someone changing careers. I’m including it here as part of the company’s story and the wider discussion about investing in skills, creating opportunities and helping the next generation find its place in the industry.

THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE · 12 April 2023

In the coming weeks and months, as kids come to the end of their high school life, they have to decide between further education and starting the world of work.

For too many years, the desirable option has been university, with the message you need a degree if you’re going to get anywhere in life. That’s what the kids hear and that’s what the parents hear.

Going in at the bottom and working your way up in a company doesn’t appear to be an option openly promoted these days.

One sector that has always allowed you to start with nothing and work your way up, are the trades.

It was always said, get a trade behind you and you’ll never go hungry. I chose joinery as my trade.

Served my time, did quite well and ultimately moved towards kitchen and bathroom installation as a speciality.

But here are five reasons a trade apprenticeship in kitchen and bathroom installation could be a ticket to success.

1. High demand

In general, the construction industry is growing, and due to shortages, there is a high demand for skilled tradespeople, including those trained in kitchen and bathroom installation.

This means you are extremely likely to have steady work opportunities and therefore a very stable career going forward.

2. Hands-on learning

An apprenticeship offers hands-on, one-to-one learning that is hard to replicate in a classroom.

You get to work under the guidance of experienced professionals who will teach you the skills and techniques required to be a great kitchen and bathroom installer and how to succeed in this trade (or any trade).

3. Earn while you learn

Unlike traditional education paths, an apprenticeship in kitchen and bathroom installation will allow you to earn a salary at the same time as learning your trade.

This means you will avoid student debt and can even save for the future, all while gaining valuable work experience.

4. Career advancement

Kitchen and bathroom installation can lead to a really rewarding and varied career, with opportunities for personal growth as you gain more experience.

Working your way up to become a lead installer, an installation manager, or even starting your own kbb installation business are all real options for the future.

5. Job satisfaction

A trade apprenticeship in kitchen and bathroom installation can be a fulfilling career choice, as you get to see the results of your hard work every single day.

You also have the satisfaction of knowing you’re making a real difference in people’s lives by helping them create functional and beautiful living spaces.

It’s hard to believe that a trade such as kitchen and bathroom installation has been allowed to get to the point where it’s struggling for installer numbers, given how much we rely as an industry on these tradespeople every single day.

But with the opportunities currently on offer and industry-wide positive reinforcement, I believe the current situation can and will be turned around in the very near future.

So, if you’re looking for a stable and fulfilling career path, becoming a tradesperson in kitchen and bathroom installation is a great idea.

Original publication: Kitchens & Bathrooms News. Archived here with its original date and wording.