KBB Market Skills Shortage with Damian Walters

While UK homeowners continue to prioritise home improvement, the KBB market itself is experiencing a more complex and unpredictable period. Shifting economic pressures, cautious consumer spending and uneven demand across the sector mean businesses are navigating a far less stable landscape than in recent years. 

The shortage of skilled tradespeople

Against this backdrop, one issue continues to dominate industry discussion: the shortage of skilled tradespeople. With too few qualified installers entering the sector, the lack of workforce capacity is increasingly seen as a constraint—not only on day to day operations, but on the industry’s ability to adapt, recover and position itself for future opportunities when conditions improve.

We spoke to Damian Walters, CEO of The British Institute of Fitted Interiors Specialists (BIFIS) to discuss what the biggest challenges are currently, and how they can be addressed.

Can you give us a brief overview of where we are in the industry right now?  Is any particular area (manufacturing, retail, trade bodies, installers, government) taking ownership of the skills crisis?

DW: Globally, the skills gap has evolved into a skills crisis. Whilst there’s been much talk of this over the last decade, the reality remains that we are falling short of what’s needed to support a healthy industry in the future. The simple fact remains that the future pipeline of qualified, competent and compliant tradespeople to fulfil industry demand, both in the RMI and construction sectors, is worryingly unknown at this point. The matter of ownership is perhaps the key to the issue – no singular part of the industry (or government) is responsible for the cause, or the solution and the task must therefore be viewed as a challenge for everyone operating (or with a stake) in the sector.

What is the biggest challenge preventing young people from choosing KBB installation as a career?

DW: There is a misconception that young people are the blockage here. I can categorically confirm that they’re not. The issue is much closer to home, unfortunately, in that apprenticeships are wholly dependent on employers and the availability of apprenticeship positions (jobs). I have engaged thousands of students over the last 5 years, and I can confirm that there’s no shortage of interest. The problem we have is that the industry is not generating the opportunities (jobs) and therefore, there’s nowhere to funnel the interest. 

This year marks a shift of funding away from Level 7 apprenticeships, towards entry-level training. How effective do you think this will be in attracting younger people to the industry and those after a career change? Do you think it goes far enough?

DW: To reiterate the point – this isn’t about funding… Our Level 2 (entry) apprenticeship can be fully funded already. Where perhaps the government (and the industry) need to focus its efforts on how businesses are incentivised to take on an apprentice. As an example, can the government help towards payroll? If you’re a levy payer (a big business), then there’s good reason to take on an apprentice, but as a micro SME - which our industry is dominated by - you’re not afforded the same access to funds.

Are manufacturers doing enough to support training on their own products?

DW: That’s possibly too broad a question to answer. Some are doing a great job, but others perhaps not. The problems have always been the access to these trainings and giving them enough visibility. This is why BIFIS recently launched the FITTED INTERIORS HUB, a free-to-use online directory that is a vehicle for manufacturers to list training opportunities. The hub is accessible via the new BIFIS app.

Retailers may start finding themselves in a challenging predicament as their ageing installer networks reduce. What should they be doing now to future-proof this area of their business?

DW: A GREAT QUESTION! There is one pragmatic thing that retailers could do that could change their future when it comes to installation: either incentivise their existing installers to take on an apprentice, or better still, take on an apprentice for them. I know, I know… that does feel like a short-term burden, but the medium to long term benefit could prevent a genuine challenge in the future. There’s loads of support out there, and BIFIS can help connect the dots for those interested in finding out how. There’s no charge from us to do so either!

Have businesses been reporting installation capacity as a barrier to growth?

DW: Yes, this has been well documented in the media and there’s much data that highlights the scale of the challenge. There’s possibly a false sense of security at the moment because of a general downturn in the industry, but as demand rises, the topic of installation will be amplified as retailers struggle to meet demand and consumer expectations on lead times. What I will say is, that whilst trade may be down, the availability of quality installers will be one key factor in the industry’s ability to bounce back from any downturn – so, whilst the problem may not be apparent today, we must all keep one eye on the near future to protect our respective empires!

How can BIFIS help retailers navigate the installer skills crisis? 

DW: Importantly, BIFIS is the industry’s asset. It’s there for all retailers, whether they’re partnered with us or not… it’s the key constitutional requirement for institutes. You can get access to free information and guidance via our website, via our app or by calling the team on 01375 213 199.

Fundamentally, BIFIS is the home for fitted interiors installation specialists, representing the largest network of independent specialist KBB installers in the UK, so we’re well placed to support all areas of the industry to collaborate in overcoming the challenge.