New Fitted Interiors Course
Tue, 06 August 2013
Recognising the lack of dedicated qualifications and training within the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom industries, Tameside College has introduced a new course in Fitted Interiors, the only one of its kind in the Manchester region. This Level 2 Diploma is a 12-month course, leading to a City & Guilds Diploma and NVQ Level 2 qualification, recognised by CITB Construction Skills, the Sector Skills Council for the Construction industry.
The course is specifically aimed at adults wishing to enter, or those already working in, the installation side of the kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms sector. The brainchild of carpentry and joinery tutor Dean Donelon, the course is tailored to give students the tools to acquire the knowledge and skills to become self-employed in the installation side of the industry or gain employment with local firms specialising in interior fitting. As part of the training, students will also learn how to specify and order products and complete hands-on installation exercises.
“The KBB industry has no nationally recognised standards and I was keen to put this right,” says Dean Donelon. “The course is designed to ensure that at the end of the 12 months, students are fully ready to go straight into the work environment. They will have learnt to plan, design and fit projects, including plumbing, to a clearly defined standard.”
The course has already attracted a high-level of interest from several leading brands. Manchester-based components distributor, TKC, has shown its support to the interiors course with an essential donation of kitchen doors, cabinets and components that will be used by students during the practical elements of the programme. TKC’s managing director Tom Kelly comments: “We are very much in favour of supporting our local community and of raising standards within the industry generally, so we are delighted to work with Tameside College”.
Dedicated KBB design software specialist, Arti-CAD, is also working with Tameside College to help develop standards in the industry. The Built and Natural Environment department at Tameside College has introduced ArtiCAD-Pro KBB design software to provide course attendees with hands-on experience of a leading industry CAD package.
In a bid to strengthen the quality of the course’s content, Mr Donelon has also gained support from components manufacturer Hettich. Tim Leedham, Hettich UK’s managing director said that: “The industry has a responsibility for, and of course an interest in, ensuring that there are enough suitably-qualified fitting and design professionals to meet market demand”.