Planit Joins KBB NTG to Foster Young Talent

Planit International, the developer of design and visualisation software for the KBB sector, has joined forces with the Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms National Training Group (NTG) and South Nottingham College to spearhead a new initiative which focuses on attracting young design talent into the industry.

Planit International has donated 15 licences of its flagship Planit Fusion software and a programme of user training to support the creation of a two-year vocational training course at South Nottingham College aimed specifically at 14 to 16 year old school children. The scheme, which has been developed by the NTG and Local Educational Authority, aims to fulfil a number of key criteria.

‘It has a strong vocational training bias, which is an area the government is particularly keen to develop,’ says Sharon Townes, the College's Head of School for Visual Arts and Digital Media. ‘What's more, we could see that by tailoring course content specifically to the KBB sector, it could easily dovetail into the Creative and Media category of the new Diploma qualification for 14 to 19 year olds, which is due to be introduced nationwide later this year.

‘We were therefore extremely receptive when the NTG's chief executive officer Renée Mascari approached us with the suggestion that an initiative such as this would give youngsters a perfect introduction to the KBB and interior design sectors.

‘The new course not only allows us to highlight the scope of the industry and the opportunities open to talented teenagers - particularly in the design field - it also enables the students to use state-of-the-art software to develop skills that will have genuine relevance to their future lives and employment prospects.’

Planit International's managing director, Alastair McPheat agrees: ‘This course ticks all the right boxes. Unlike some other college art and design modules, it gives students a clear appreciation of a rewarding career path that they can follow within a vibrant and stimulating business sector.’

Dedicated facility
In order to establish the new course, South Nottingham College invested in a dedicated PC facility in its Arts and Digital Media Department.

‘We recognised that if the course was going to deliver the maximum benefit, students needed to work on 'real life' problems and projects, using the most relevant industry software,’ adds Townes. ‘That meant Planit's Fusion system - the most widely used application in the KBB sector - running on representative hardware platforms, despite the College previously being an all Apple Mac site.

‘We also recognise the importance of ongoing industry contact throughout the course, so are grateful for Renée's commitment to the project. Likewise, we simply could not run the course without Planit's contribution.’

Now in its second year, the course has been limited to a maximum of 15 students from two schools, despite interest from many more pupils in the South Nottingham area. Following an assessment to identify their existing skill levels and aptitude for design, 12 pupils from Djanogly School in Nottingham and Fairham School in Clifton were selected to take part in the inaugural course. Its format consists of a two-hour school release session each week at South Nottingham College's Charnwood Centre, where the students work either alone or in groups on a range of projects.

‘Most coursework reflects the common business practice of working to a brief - and typically includes designing bedrooms, loft conversions, bathrooms or kitchens with specific themes for specific occupants,’ explains course tutor Becki Pate. ‘Students are encouraged to discuss and review their proposals with colleagues - just as they would in a business situation. Similarly, the designs are not just limited to furniture and colour schemes, as the pupils also take full advantage of Planit Fusion's ability to replicate different lighting and texture effects in their work.’

The course builds on the IT knowledge gained by the teenagers as part of the school curriculum and is assessed independently by the ABC vocational awards accreditation body. As a result, participants who successfully complete the course will gain a vocational diploma equivalent to one GCSE level pass.

Student feedback
So, how has the scheme been received by the students themselves? Overwhelmingly, course members are enthusiastic about the opportunity to get their hands on high capability 3D graphical software.

‘It really helps us to express our creativity,’ says Avtar Rathore, while Sarah Brittan and Emma Gough are impressed by the way the system's photo-realistic rendering bring their designs to life. ‘It enables us to see how everything fits together - quickly and accurately,’ they agree.

Likewise, George Mapp, whose mother is a property developer, says he: ‘would love to use the system all the time.’ But that's not all. He believes that the chance to tackle everyday projects gives the course relevance, while the requirement to research concepts and discuss ideas with other course members has helped to develop his communication and interpersonal skills.

‘All the students have blossomed during the past 12 months,’ says Pate. ‘I believe the vocational nature of the course, plus exposure to the art college environment has really helped their development on a number of levels.

‘They are all hungry to learn and try new ideas. It's proving to be a very stimulating environment all round and I'm frequently asked questions that test my own knowledge of the Planit Fusion system.’

McPheat recognises that the tutor's skills are central to the success of the project, which is why he has recently agreed to make additional software training available - not just for Pate and her colleagues, but to provide the youngsters with direct access to support engineers who are experts in the system's capabilities.

‘It's important that constraints are not put on the children's learning. Likewise, it is vital that the knowledge they receive is relevant to their future lifestyle and employment prospects. A further factor in the success of this type of course will be the 'buy-in' it promotes from pupils' parents.’

Looking back on the past 12 months, the results achieved by the pilot scheme are very encouraging, with positive feedback from students and tutors alike. Currently, at least 25% of the class members are contemplating a career in the building sector, something that only one of them might have considered before joining the course. Full potential
‘If this initiative proves to be the success we all expect, we anticipate rolling out this model into other academic areas,’ adds Townes. ‘We are working hard to realise the full potential of both the course and the students attending it.’

As an OFSTED grade 1 rated site, South Nottingham College is recognised as a leading educational institution. Townes therefore believes that the initial scheme could, in future, lead to the creation of a new foundation degree level course supported by industry. If that was the case, it would not only offer a close fit with the government's new Diploma scheme, but also complement other initiatives focusing on vocational training, such as the College's latest apprenticeships catering for A* to C grade GCSE students.

‘With no nationally recognised qualification in interior design for example, the pilot course is helping us to build industry-relevant knowledge and skills from the bottom up,’ says Alan Tipton, director of the South Nottingham College's Charnwood Centre. ‘The scheme's vocational element is therefore a key plus point that will help us to see the concept expanded.’

‘That is also significant from industry's point of view," notes McPheat. "My colleagues and I at Planit International have been involved in a number of education initiatives and are keen to see the impetus of such courses grow. They offer advantages to everyone concerned - by enhancing the skills and employment prospects of students, as well as encouraging much needed young design talent to enter our industry.’

Mascari agrees: ‘It offers a win-win situation all round, with tangible benefits for the Local Educational Authority and the children, as well as fulfilling the College's remit and our industry's needs. The pilot course provides an excellent link from education to the commercial world. I believe it is an ideal model for the future.’

Proof of the pudding
Townes concedes that 12 months ago, any initiative focusing on vocational training may have been seen as a way for some schools to sideline disruptive children from mainstream classes. Yet, she maintains that this has absolutely not been the case with the South Nottingham course.

‘We were oversubscribed with talented youngsters from day one and the proof of the pudding is in the quality of the work they have produced,’ she says.

‘It's not about the work just being good for 14 or 15 year olds,’ adds McPheat. ‘It is simply good, full stop.’

Underlining this view, Planit International is already contemplating extending the scope of its monthly design competition for commercial customers to include a category specifically for users of its Fusion design system in education.

‘I frequently bemoan the lack of new talent that is joining the industry,’ continues McPheat. ‘I am therefore keen to stand alongside the NTG in supporting this scheme. I believe programmes like this are the way forward and hope that other companies in the KBB sector will throw their weight behind initiatives like this too.

‘With TV make-over shows raising the public's awareness of our industry, the government's drive towards greater vocational training and the opportunity to attract talented new blood into our sector, I believe there's never likely to be a better time - or way - for organisations in the KBB sector to invest in their own future.’

Tel: +44 (0) 1233 635566
Web: http://www.planitsoftware.com

Caption: NTG CEO Renee Mascari (left), with Planit International MD Alastair McPheat and course tutor Becki Pate, believe that the new course offers advantages all round - by enhancing the skills and employment prospects of students, as well as encouraging much needed young design talent to enter the industry.