Following the publication of its manifesto in spring 2026, and in co-ordination with the government’s announcement this week regarding the re-introduction of vocational learning into schools, the British Institute of Fitted Interiors Specialists (BIFIS) has today announced the launch of its Schools Engagement Programme, an ambitious six-year initiative with a pilot beginning in the southeast of England in September 2026. BIFIS will deliver the pilot programme in partnership with Greater Essex Careers Hub, creating the blueprint for the initiative to be rolled out nationally as part of the organisations Vision 2030.
Designed to build awareness of the fitted interiors industry from middle childhood, when children typically start to form early ideas and aspirations of career paths, the programme will work with hundreds of Year 6 students during the 2026/27 academic year, and follow the student’s journey through secondary education to Year 11.
Over the six-year course of the programme, students will be introduced to the breadth of opportunities available across the fitted interiors sector, including roles in manufacturing, logistics, sales, design and installation. Through immersive activities, industry insight and sustained engagement, BIFIS aims to help young people better understand the sector, the skills it requires and the career pathways available.
BIFIS will work closely with industry stakeholders to deliver a comprehensive programme throughout the six-year period, creating meaningful encounters that bring the industry to life for students. By engaging young people before key career decisions are made, the initiative is intended to spark new interest in the fitted interiors sector and help nurture the next generation of talent for an industry that offers diverse, rewarding and often overlooked career opportunities.
Damian Walters, CEO of BIFIS, said: “We are incredibly excited to launch the Fitted Interiors Sector School’s Engagement Programme and to be working in partnership with Greater Essex Careers Hub on a project with genuine long-term potential. If we are serious about building the future workforce our sector needs, we must start much earlier in the journey by helping young people understand the opportunities available to them. This programme gives us the chance to generate interest in our industry at a formative stage, nurture that interest over time and, ultimately, inspire more young people to see fitted interiors as a credible and rewarding career choice.”
Damian went on to say: “Following the announcement from government on Monday, there are two areas that need to be addressed, and I have written to the Prime Minister today to set out these challenges. Firstly, the vocational programme must start in primary school and must also include educating parents on the benefits of vocational careers. Without a shift in parents’ expectations for their children’s careers, we will not change those pre-conceived ideas that vocational careers are only suitable for those who fail in academia. Secondly, we must better support, financially and otherwise, those future SME employers to meaningfully take on young people. Unless small employers are incentivised to take on an education leaver or apprentice, the education system runs the risk of creating the workforce but not creating the opportunities in the form of jobs. That would be a travesty and one that we must do everything in our power to avoid.”
Launching first in the southeast, the School’s Engagement Programme reflects BIFIS’ ongoing commitment to education, skills development and long-term industry sustainability. By connecting schools, employers and the wider sector, the programme is expected to create a stronger talent pipeline and support greater awareness of the vital role that fitted interiors professionals play in homes and businesses across the UK.
Damian added: “This is an exciting opportunity for industry to proactively tap into a new generation of talent and my plea to industry is to please get involved. We are looking for project partners to support the initiative, from sponsors to financially support the work, through to businesses that deliver work experience, guided tours of their operation and get involved in talks.”
Read the BIFIS Factsheet relating to the government announcement here.
Anyone interested in supporting the initiative should contact ceo@bifis.org
EDUCATION | STANDARDS | SUSTAINABILITY | COMPLIANCE |
