National Association of Shoppfitters

Where to get training

You can start your training in shopfitting without any formal qualification, but success in GCSE subjects like Maths, English, Design & Technology and Science will help you with your future career progression.

The main thing, whatever qualifications you start with, is to have these qualities:

Good at working with your hands
Able to measure accurately
Good at working with other people

If that sounds like you, you’ll be off to a good start towards the qualifications that you can gain in shopfitting. To start with, you’ll probably work towards an NVQ in the appropriate area at level 2 or 3. NVQ’s are ideal for people who like doing things rather than studying, because they are assessed according to the work they do rather than through exams.

You will probably start your career by joining a specialist shopfitting company. It will be in their interests to make sure that you can do your job to the highest level, so you will receive excellent training.

Much of your training will take place at work, although you may be sent to college or a training centre for additional training. This may be in the form of day release (probably one day a week for a period of time) or block release (a one-off or occasional several-week course).

Many shopfitting companies are prepared to offer full apprenticeships from the beginning of the training. If this is not available, it is a good idea to get on a Modern Apprenticeship programme if you can. This is a government sponsored scheme, which guarantees your training and work for an employer to NVQ level 2 or 3. This usually takes three to four years.

After that, you won’t necessarily get a job with the same employer but you’ll probably be kept on. Alternatively, with the skills and qualifications that you have obtained, you’ll be in a good position to get a job somewhere else. Your qualifications can also be used to progress to technician training.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SHOPFITTERS