Kitchen and bathroom fitter

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could take a college course, which would give you some of the skills needed to start as a trainee in this job.

Courses include:

• construction skills
• carpentry and joinery
• plumbing studies
• fitted interiors (construction)
• kitchen and bathroom installation skills

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Fitted Interiors Installer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship to get into this job.

Apprenticeships in joinery, wall and floor tiling, or plumbing may also be acceptable.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

DirectApplication

You can apply for jobs if you've got experience and qualifications in a related construction trade like joinery, plumbing, tiling or plastering.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• knowledge of building and construction
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of maths
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to work well with your hands
• physical skills like lifting, bending and carrying
• to be flexible and open to change
• design skills and knowledge
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to analyse quality or performance
• observation and recording skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• concentration skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to operate and control equipment

What you'll do:

Kitchen and bathroom fitters install kitchens and bathroom suites in homes and businesses.

As a kitchen and bathroom fitter, you could:

• measure and set out work areas, following design plans
• mark the location of pipes and cables
• rip out and dispose of old units and suites safely
• install new units, kitchen appliances and bathroom suites
• tile walls and lay flooring
• work closely with other tradespeople, like electricians and plumbers

Location : You could work at a client's home, at a client's business or on a construction site.
Environment : Your working environment may be dusty and physically demanding.

Salary:

Starter : £24,000
Experienced : £45,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

40 - 45 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends away from home

Career Path:

You could find work with building companies, design agencies, kitchen and bathroom manufacturers and retailers. You could also set up your own business.

In a larger company, you might become a:

• site supervisor
• project manager
• estimator
• trainer
• business development manager
• area sales co-ordinator

You could also move into shop fitting, or train in computer-aided design (CAD) and work in kitchen and bathroom design.