Generous sponsors make student programs possible. By Dianne M. Pogoda

 

The NKBA has been a key player in promoting education in design and related fields, helping colleges, technical institutes, vocational and trade schools prepare thousands of students for lucrative careers in design and remodeling.

This year, the association is proud to partner with Sub-Zero Group Inc., which has generously signed on to sponsor student chapters at NKBA Affiliated Schools, and student membership to any individuals enrolled in a design-related program. The association currently counts nearly 3,000 student members.

In addition, the Student Design Competition is being sponsored for the current 2018-2019 school year by Cambria. Winners of the competition receive scholarships of $5000, $2,500 and $1,000 for First, Second and Third place designs in each of kitchen and bath, respectively. Entries must specify Cambria products in the designs. Last year’s competition, the winners of which will be honored at KBIS, was sponsored by Wilsonart with a donation of cabinets by Green Forest Cabinetry.

NKBA supports its student chapters throughout its Affiliated Schools education network, which was re-branded in 2017. Each chapter is eligible to receive an annual $500 grant, providing opportunities for the students to bring in speakers and host events to share ideas, launch fundraising efforts of their own, subsidize field trips and network with NKBA’s 70 professional chapters and other industry professionals.

Sub-Zero sponsored the student chapter program in 2017 and added student membership, officially dubbed “Students of the Industry,” for the 2018-2019 school year. Anyone studying in a post-secondary design or training program may join NKBA at no charge, thanks to the sponsorship. Membership is also free for Affiliated Schools and their educators, and there’s no charge to become an Affiliated School.

Moen is also sponsoring Students of the Industry for the 2018-2019 school year.

Student members receive a free pass to the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS); receive discounts on NKBA Professional Knowledge publications; are eligible to enter the NKBA Student Design Competition, and much more.