Kitchen Designer Review

The Role here at Benchmarx has a variety of tasks involved, when starting a project with a client you may either meet them on site to measure there required space or they might have architect plans as the space is not build yet. you would then walk them through what kitchens suit there needs and wish list.

When learning how to use Fusion and Quotit I learned how to use these programmed effectively and efficiently to save time when planning or quoting someones kitchen. I have learned certain rules or regulations that help design a kitchen and keep it within government guidelines. Also with our new Truehandless options where everything is a little different.

The programme as a whole was fantastic the freedom to self learn and the support provided was great. Unfortunately with the paramedic everything had to go remote witch dampened the experience and some things seemed a little rushed towards the end with some of the lessons/training cut out witch was a little disappointing but couldn't be avoided with the circumstances.

From the beginning it seemed to have everything planned out for the next few months and each module was clearly viable on what we needed to do. but from there it was a tad unclear once we got started what exactly they wanted us to do within each module, we didn't have the criteria of anything to meet, luckily this was cleared up and we could get back on track with this and the pandemic i feel as if the apprenticeship felt a tad unorganised at times.

Our employer was very excited to get us going giving me time off when needed and paying for transport costs, My manager got a tad annoyed after a while when the apprenticeship that promised to not take up much time took a lot of my time away form the business. My mentor that i received half way through my apprenticeship was very helpful in encouraging me and giving me support when I needed it.

My Mentor was great at answering any questions I had and giving me feedback on my course. the actual training providers where lacking in support when contacted, it could take up to a week to respond on any given subject. Support groups were able to go to if we needed help but I didn't use this service since my mentor was so helpful over email/phone

Getting the training I need to do my job could be done in a week or so but to excel and perform with the skills provided I can do my job more efficiently and effectively which the customer can notice when designing there kitchen. The product knowledge and the essentials needed to know to plan a kitchen can help me be more professional and explain to the customer certain aspects of their kitchen to them

Once a year we have an event called Inspire that is a showcase of all our suppliers and anything new coming to the market that we can gain valuable inside knowledge before the product is launched. A great example of this will be our Truehandless range that started 2 years ago now but when it came out we knew everything about it, how to fit/install it what components where involved and how much extra cost it would add to a normal kitchen. that is on top of all the free optional training courses that are available to do either booked on to go somewhere or online courses.

Yes

Benchmarx (Travis Perkins) is a great company to work for it shows in there company values - Keeping people safe - Upholding Family Values - Being The Best - to name a few these values are what separates this company from any other. Travis/Benchmarx keep everyone updated on whats happening with the business and lends support to those that needed whether that be mental health well being or financial needs.

To just be yourself, Benchmarx is one big family and full of so many different people with varying backgrounds, ethnicity and gender. Its a great welcoming place to work and I would recommenced it to anyone. As there are so many roles no matter your skill role and with the apprenticeship scheme you can get into a designer or higher role whilst learning on the job.