FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information:
Amy Castillo
Manager of College and Student Engagement and the Certification Path
(800) THE-NKBA, 3793
acastillo@nkba.org
Lakeland College Reaccredited as NKBA Program Provider for Kitchen and Bath Design Diploma
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (MARCH 04, 2016) — The National Kitchen & Bath Association recently announced that Lakeland College, located in Vermilion, AB, Canada, has met all requirements to continue as an NKBA Accredited Program provider of their Interior Design Technology Diploma. The two-year diploma program consists of 80 hours of coursework and is housed in the School of Trades and Technology on the Vermilion campus.
NKBA Accreditation serves the professional needs of the industry and ensures consistent, quality education for students who want to become kitchen or bath professionals. The NKBA currently recognizes over 55 schools in North America whose kitchen and bath curriculum, based on the comprehensive material provided in the NKBA Professional Resource Library (PRL), meet the educational standards established by the association.
These established standards, detailed in the PRL, include the knowledge and skills necessary for competent practice in the profession, divided into four categories: Planning and Design, Construction Systems, Business and Project Management, and Products/Materials. Each school seeking accreditation must adequately meet stringent NKBA standards in each of these areas. These schools submit a self-study report and an analysis of competencies as related to these areas of study. An evaluation is conducted which consists of classroom observations, a curriculum review meeting with faculty, a presentation of projects, and interviews with students, faculty and administration. The educational institution must have accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or a provincial ministry of education in Canada.
NKBA Accredited Programs are evaluated with respect to mission, administration, curriculum, faculty, and resources to determine eligibility and the students’ aptitude toward fulfilling the association’s required competencies. Industry professionals evaluate student work samples as a subjective measure of the program. Programs that meet the qualifications for accreditation, or a preliminary status of supported, are published both in print and on the NKBA website. Each year, the association monitors the progress of these schools with the submission of student work samples based on the NKBA Student Design Competition. This process provides an outcome-based assessment to the schools. Accredited Programs have a reevaluation period of seven years.
Lakeland College first earned full NKBA Accreditation in 1999 by demonstrating that it meets these requirements, which represent the basis of a program the NKBA considers essential for quality education. Each student must complete classroom work and internships monitored by the educational institution, which will enhance and extend the classroom experiences and make certain that they meet the NKBA’s required student competencies. Programs accredited by the National Kitchen & Bath Association must have an NKBA Certified advisor or faculty member.
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About the National Kitchen & Bath Association
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is the not-for-profit trade association that owns the KBIS®. With nearly 14,000 member companies representing tens of thousands of members in segments of the kitchen and bath industry, the NKBA has educated and led the industry since the association’s founding in 1963. The mission of the NKBA is to enhance member success and excellence, promote professionalism and ethical business practices, and provide leadership and direction for the kitchen and bath industry worldwide. For more information, visit NKBA.org or call 1-800-THE-NKBA (843-6522).
KBIS® and NKBA® are registered trademarks of the National Kitchen & Bath Association.
For editorial assistance, including photography, contact John O’Reilly c/o O’Reilly DePalma: 815-469-9100 or john.oreilly@oreilly-depalma.com
