You’re creative, you’re hands-on, with a passion for design, and the thought of sitting behind a desk for the next 40 years gives you the shakes.
Channel your talents into a career in kitchen and bath design and remodeling and catch a piece of this lucrative $147 billion industry. You can give yourself a big head-start by joining the National Kitchen & Bath Association as a student member. It’s the best way to get insider info from pros already thriving in the business.
Whether you own or work for a small entrepreneurial firm, or belong to one of the industry’s largest power brands, NKBA is your gateway to building your professional career network. The association offers programs that will help advance your career, deepen professional networks and connect you to successful members of our kitchen and bath community.
Our support begins while you’re still in school. At colleges and universities across North America, we offer scholarships, sponsor design competitions to help get your work recognized, as well as support regional chapters where you can become an engaged member of your local kitchen and bath business community.
Graduating soon? Consider earning a certification as an Associate Kitchen & Bath Designer (AKBD).
The National Kitchen & Bath Association 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.
By joining the NKBA, your school and its educators can take advantage of the many benefits of membership, including new offerings that will be coming online in phases over the next several months such as; web presence exposure for your school through a profile page on the NKBA web site, plus the NKBA Affiliated School logo for the school’s own site; participation in an online community tailored to educators with discussion forums, lesson plan repositories, best-practice guides, curriculum and other resources, as well as an online forum to network with other educators in similar fields.
Educators at affiliated schools will also be able to utilize an internship portal currently in development, attend educator-focused in-person forums and virtual meetings, and take advantage of mentoring by experienced program coordinators. NKBA membership for the school and its educators is free, and discounts on NKBA Professional Knowledge publications and at the KBIS trade show are available. Schools also get the benefit of professional review of two student kitchen and bath drawing samples annually at no charge.
Joining the NKBA Affiliated Schools program is the best way to build your school’s credibility in the field and attract students with passion for this career path. It’s a win-win for your students, your school and the industry’s long-term prosperity.
Student members have access to exclusive opportunities and design competitions that offer thousands of dollars in scholarships annually, plus national exposure and recognition. The NKBA and its member companies act as sponsors to make these opportunities possible.
Every year, the NKBA holds a Student Design Competition that seeks creative solutions to a remodeling challenge. Please review the Student Design Competition Entry Packet, which includes an entry form, contest details and requirements, and a checklist to ensure your entry is valid and complete. Click here to view Student Design Competition resources.
Once you’re ready to apply, click here for the Student Design Competition application.
Questions? Email SDC@nkba.org or contact your program coordinator.
Students at NKBA Affiliated Schools across North America share camaraderie, support fellow students looking to jumpstart their careers, network with industry professionals and partake in fun and educational activities. You can participate in chapter meetings, serve as an officer or even start a chapter at your NKBA Affiliated School.
The NKBA provides many benefits to help members expand their careers through networking, professional development, marketing and business development opportunities. Be sure to inquire about student discounts and educational resources. Click here to learn more. It’s the best way to put yourself on the path to a lucrative, creative career doing what you love!