A 17-year-old from Bury St Edmunds is pursuing his dream of becoming a kitchen designer after landing this year’s Egger UK bursary and a place on an award-winning university degree course.
Stan Shaw is installations and accounts manager at Suffolk-based Kitchenology Ltd, a family-owned retailer that operates across the whole of East Anglia.
For the next three years, he will study for the part-time Foundation Degree in Kitchen Design at Buckinghamshire New University – now in its fourth year. As well as attending residential sessions three times a year, students participate via online learning in regular tutorials and lecture presentations.
In conjunction with TKET – The Kitchen Education Trust – the course aims to produce informed and creative designers with better design skills, product knowledge and understanding of the industry.
It covers materials, technology, business, sales & marketing, history, psychology, manufacturing and project management as well as design – with TKET members across the KBB sector involved as visiting lecturers and mentors.
The opportunity of a lifetime
“I’ve been working for the family-owned business Kitchenology now for almost a year, which might not sound a lot – but it is for a 17-year-old,” said Stan. “I manage ordering and installations, enjoy the high-pressure environment and thanks to colleagues am constantly absorbing information and facing new challenges.
“Getting a place on this course is the opportunity of a lifetime – and working with people like world-renowned designer Johnny Grey, TKET chairman Craig Matson of Roundhouse Design and a talented group of lecturers and tutors will help me to be the best I can be. I’m really grateful to Egger for sponsoring me, and making this investment in my exciting career choice – in a fast-moving sector that continues to grow.”
Nick McClughin, head of marketing at Egger – Europe’s largest manufacturer of laminates and wood-based panels for the KBB sector – added: “We’ve been supporters of TKET since the start and are proud of the small part we are playing in helping to shape the future of our industry.
“Stan is an intelligent and thoughtful young man and a worthy recipient of our financial assistance. I believe he has a bright future ahead of him and will hopefully find inspiration for his future design activities within our product range!”
