The KBSA has announced it is reinforcing its commitment to training and education by providing financial bursaries to two students who will begin the Foundation Degree Kitchen Design course at Buckinghamshire New University (BNU), this September.
Sophie Owen, a trainee designer with Qudaus Living, and Rubina Hughes, a showroom owner at Zara Kitchen Design, will both receive a financial contribution towards their course fees, for each of the three years of the foundation degree.
Owen joined Qudaus Living almost two years ago with no experience of working in a design or sales environment and has successfully completed a Level 3 qualification in business administration, while undertaking in-house training.
Hughes has worked in a kitchen showroom environment since an interest in interior design prompted her to make a career change from IT 17 years ago. She now runs her own showroom with her husband.
KBSA national chair Richard Hibbert said: “We are delighted to support these two students with their studies. The Foundation Degree continues to go from strength to strength, starting its seventh year this coming September, and with the launch of the BA (Hons) Kitchen Design degree, which it hopes to start in 2022.”
The Kitchen Design course leader at BNU, Jayne Hall Cunnick said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support and encouragement we have received from the KBSA in the development of the new and upgraded provisions and humbled by the financial and other support being offered to students. Industry engagement and support is critical to the ongoing relevance and success of the kitchen design degree courses, as well as the future of the industry.”
Richard Hibbert added: “We know that the course is well regarded by employers and that many KBB organisations also support students that wish to build their careers, and expand their knowledge in this way. It is a blended learning course that is suitable for designers at every stage of their career, as can be seen from Sophie and Rubina’s career profiles.
“The KBSA is committed to supporting training and education in our industry in any way we can. Other students wishing to apply for a bursary can contact the KBSA for further information.”
There are still a few spaces left on this year's Foundation Degree Kitchen Design course at Buckinghamshire New University – to find out more, click here.
