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Industry Update NKBA Launches Learning Program Karran USA, 1291 East Ramsey Road, Vincennes, IN 47591 866.452.7726 www.karran.com Innovative Surfaces Donates to Disabled Hackettstown, NJ — The National Kitchen & Bath Association is launching a comprehensive learning program that offers career paths in eight competency areas at all levels from introductory to experienced. While design is as important as always, the NKBA has expanded its Learning and Development programs to encompass an entire set of career skills, such as Communication, Leadership, Business Management and more. "The new Learning Paths approach focuses on a continuous process of performance improvement, rather than just taking a single course," explained Nancy Barnes, NKBA director of learning. "The paths ofer a welldefned, step-by-step sequence." The eight competencies include: ① Design & Inspiration ② Talent Management ③ Communication ④ Adapt & Innovate (Change Management) ⑤ Focus on the Consumer ⑥ Business Management ⑦ Leadership ⑧ Sales & Marketing The Learning Path, through each competency, may comprise as many as 40 courses covering wide-ranging topics. For example, Communication subjects could include basic business writing, email communication, presentation skills, workplace conflict, negotiation skills, networking essentials and leading team meetings. All are available to anyone in the industry, 24/7, 365 days a year through a Learning Management System (LMS) that is live online. Participation is not limited to association members. Hastings, MN — For the fourth consecutive year, Innovative Surfaces in Hastings, MN has donated the granite countertop fabrication and countertop installation for the Homeward Bound project, in conjunction with Century College, a local community college. Homeward Bound is a nonproft organization that houses severely disabled individuals, with aroundthe-clock caregivers. Centur y College Kitchen and Bath Design students design the spaces and then the students at St. Paul College do the carpentry work, build cabinets and install. Architectural Granite & Marble provided the granite countertop slabs for the project. "We design the kitchens and other spaces to be more functional for the staff and residents," said Margaret Krohn CKD, ASID, Faculty at Century College. "They buy site homes integrated into neighborhoods. We have many items donated for the spaces that need work, such as fooring, countertops, appliances, etc., and are grateful to have sponsors such as Innovative Surfaces. Innovative Surfaces does a lot for our Kitchen and Bath Design program as well." "We feel strongly about the goodwill of this organization and the impact it has on the lives of those who otherwise may not be able to aford such modifcations to their homes," commented Kellie Akins, marketing manager for Innovative Surfaces. "The project provides us a platform to work along with, and gain exposure to, students working to receive certifcation in the kitchen and bath industry." Bulthaup Redesigns New York Showroom New York, NY — Bulthaup has opened its redesigned New York City showroom, located at the corner of Wooster and Houston streets, in SoHo. The renovation project involved removing interior walls to create an open foor plan, refnishing the space's wood foors, installing a fully functioning kitchen and creating new displays for the German kitchen manufacturer's latest designs. "New York is a key market for bulthaup, and we paid special attention to creating a space that is inviting and interactive for architects, designers, their clients and the public," said David Westover, CEO of bulthaup in the U.S. "This is one in a series of upgrades that we're doing to showrooms throughout the U.S., including having recently opened a new showroom in Chicago, redesigning our Dallas showroom and opening a new training facility in Scottsdale, AZ, to name just a few." Circle No. 9 on Product Card 14 | Kitchen & Bath Design News August 2013