Industry Consultation Opens on New Fitted Interiors Competency Framework
A major consultation has launched giving the fitted interiors sector — covering kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms — the chance to help define what competence should look like across installation work. The consultation centres on a proposed Competency Framework Agreement, the result of 18 months of joint work between the British Institute of Fitted Interiors Specialists (BIFIS) and the CITB.
This 30-day consultation is a key step in a wider push for a unified, effective standard of competence across the sector. It follows on from the Building a Safer Future Report (the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, published May 2018) and the creation of The Competence Steering Group, which was formed specifically to address competence gaps highlighted in that report.
BIFIS brought together the Fitted Interiors Competency Framework Working Group in February 2025. The group draws on representation from right across the sector — manufacturers, retailers, installers, training providers and industry bodies — and has worked with CITB support to build the Fitted Interiors (FI) Competence Framework.
What the framework is for
The framework’s goal is to create a standardised, structured way of assessing and confirming installer competency within Fitted Interiors. It responds to rising demand for safe, high-quality installation work by supporting the development of professionals who meet recognised industry standards.
It covers the core competencies expected in the sector — installation practice, health and safety, the training and qualifications landscape, and re-validation requirements — and is designed as a reference point for training providers, employers, workers and regulators alike. Ultimately, the model aims to lower risk, raise building performance standards, and support compliance with relevant regulation.
What’s included in the framework
- Routes to Competence – setting out the recognised paths to achieving competence
- Competency Levels – clearly defined Skills, Knowledge, Experience & Behaviours for each role and function in the sector
- Technical Skills – solid understanding of the materials, techniques and equipment used in Fitted Interiors work
- Health and Safety – a focus on safety standards to reduce accidents and support safe working practices
- Sustainability and Efficiency – best-practice guidance on energy efficiency and the long-term performance of installations
The intention is for industry professionals, training providers and regulators to use the framework as a shared, accountable standard — helping raise the overall quality of fitted interior projects while supporting regulatory compliance.
Consultation details
The consultation runs for 30 days, from Wednesday 24 June to Friday 24 July 2026, giving stakeholders time to review the proposed agreement and make sure it reflects the sector’s real needs before it’s finalised.
BIFIS CEO Damian Walters commented: “The Competency Framework Agreement represents an important step towards greater consistency and confidence in how competence is defined and demonstrated across the industry. We encourage everyone with an interest in workforce competence to review the document and share their views so that the final agreement is practical, inclusive, and fit for the future. Moreover, we urge all industry stakeholders to share the opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of our sector with their respective audiences.”
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