Welcome to the trade.
Welcome to the workshop.
A 3-month program for interior designers and their teams. Learn how cabinets are cut, built and installed, so every drawing you send can be built.
Every kitchen, wardrobe and built-in you design is only as good as the person who builds it. Designers who know how a cabinet is made draw better, quote better and earn more respect on site.
A 3-month program that turns beginners and existing staff into cabinet makers who can cut, build and install to spec. Studio training at KitaBina (Subang Jaya), real factory practice at our partners.
Malaysia's interior fit-out industry keeps growing, and every kitchen, wardrobe and built-in needs someone who can make it well. Skilled cabinet makers are hard to find, and harder to train on the job while orders keep coming in.
Learn it in the studio. Do it in the factory. Same week.
Every skill is practised on real machines within days of being taught.
100% hands-on, 100% intensive.
Sound familiar?
The drawing comes back different
The cabinet maker reads it their own way, and your client sees something you never drew.
Rework at handover
Doors don't line up, a panel doesn't fit. Fixing it costs time, money and your client's trust.
Two sides, no trust
The maker says it can't be built. You think they cut corners. Nobody wins.
Learn it yourself
Build cabinets with your own hands for 3 months. Know exactly what a cabinet maker can and can't do, send drawings they can build first time, and earn their respect because they feel understood.
- Know the limits before you draw
- Shop drawings that work first time
Send your team
Send your site supervisor, junior designer or own carpenter. They come back able to read your shop drawings, measure a site, and build and install to spec.
- Read your shop drawings
- Install to spec, level and square
For employers
Stop losing your best hours to training. Send existing staff or new hires, and get them back able to read cabinet shop drawings, run machinery safely, and build and install to your customer's spec. Machines last longer when the people using them know how to care for them.
- Read cabinet shop drawings
- Operate machines safely and with care
- Produce, assemble and install to spec
For jobseekers
Love using your hands and building things? This course covers the skills a cabinet-maker job asks for, from the first cut to the final install. Most of each week is spent on a real factory floor, so you finish with practice behind you.
- Learn a high-skill, in-demand trade
- Train in a studio and a real factory
- Graduate with a certificate
"Do employers think it's difficult to find skilled workers? Don't worry, can one."
"All carpenters are willing to do more when a designer understands them."
KJ, Lead Instructor, KitaBina
A carpenter who feels understood goes the extra mile: the cleaner edge, the extra check, the late fix done right. In this course you see the job through a carpenter's eyes, their challenges on every build and on site, and how to talk to them so your drawing is built the way you meant it.
Every trainee starts with tool training: how each machine works, how to use it safely, and how to keep it running for years. Panel saw and nail gun first, then drill press and edge bander.
Three months, three levels.
Each month ends with a clear skill level. By month 3 you know what a cabinet maker knows: what's easy, what's hard, and what can't be done.
Each month ends with a clear skill level. Trainees only move on once the basics are solid, so the last month on site builds on everything before it.
Month 1: Build cabinet carcasses
Operate the core machines, then cut, edge-band and assemble a cabinet carcass, the box every cabinet is built on.
- Panel cutting and edge banding
- Carcass assembly
Month 2: Finish the cabinet
Add the parts customers see and touch every day. Countertops, lighting and sinks are not part of this course.
- Doors, drawers, shelves and handles
- Skirting and cover panels
Month 3: Install on site
Take the cabinet to site and fit it to the customer's specification, level and square.
Take the cabinet to site and fit it level and square. You learn what a site needs before you draw for it.
- Level the base frame
- Fit drawer fronts, install to spec
A 40-hour work week.
Each week mixes hands-on training at KitaBina with apprentice hours at a partner factory, on real factory tolerances. Once a month, a coaching session reviews progress one-to-one and with peers.
Each week mixes hands-on training at KitaBina with apprentice hours at a partner factory. Once a month, a coaching session reviews progress one-to-one and with peers.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm with a 1-hour break.
Factory partners
Course outline.
Thirteen weeks in six blocks. Drawings, tool training and fabrication run side by side, so trainees read a drawing, learn the machine, then build the part, all in the same block.
Carcass basics
Start with the box every cabinet is built on: what the boards are, how to read a carcass drawing, and how to cut, band and join it cleanly.
- Understanding cabinet material
- Drawings 1 basic technical drawings and dimensions for a carcass
- Tool training 1 panel saw, nail gun
- Fabrication 1A panel cutting for a basic carcass
- Fabrication 2A edge banding for a carcass
- Fabrication 3A assembly of a basic carcass
Doors, drawers, shelves
Calculate and build every part that opens, slides or holds weight.
Weeks 3-4 doors and shelves
Week 5 side-mount drawer slides
Week 6 undermount drawer slides
- Drawings 2 dimensions for doors, drawers, shelves, skirting
- Tool training 2 hand drill, drill press, edge bander
- Fabrication 1B cutting and sizing doors, drawers, shelves
- Fabrication 2B edge banding doors, drawers, shelves
- Fabrication 3B assembly of doors, drawers, shelves
Base and back
The hidden parts that keep a run of cabinets straight and strong on an uneven floor.
- Fabrication 4A rear nailer, fabrication and assembly
- Fabrication 5A ladder frame base
- Fabrication 6A skirting
Put it together
Level, fit and finish a full cabinet the way it will stand in a customer's home.
- Installation 1 levelling
- Installation 2 drawer fronts, side panels, skirting
- Installation 3 combined assembly
On site
Measure a real space and price a simple job.
- Site skills 1 taking site measurements
- Site skills 2 basic quotation
Final exam
Trainees build and install to a set specification, then graduate with a KitaBina certificate.
- Final exam build and install to spec
- Certification graduation with a KitaBina certificate
Not covered in this course
These sit outside a cabinet maker's core job and are left for later in a career.
- Managing other staff
- Supply chain management
- Client negotiation
- Budgeting, BQ and BOM
"A designer who has built a cabinet never draws one that can't be built."
"We also teach the wrong way to make a cabinet, not just so you can always make it the right way, but the best way."
Jon, Co-founder, KitaBina
Designers who have cut, banded and installed a cabinet know its limits and its strengths. Their shop drawings answer the cabinet maker's questions before they are asked, and the cabinet maker can tell they have stood on the factory floor.
Seeing a mistake up close is how you learn to spot it. Trainees see what goes wrong in a cabinet and why, so they catch it long before a customer does. Every site is different, so there is no single right way. We always need to know the best way.
Who can join.
Who should join.
Learn the limits and strengths of a cabinet before you draw one.
Check work against the drawing and catch defects before your client does.
Your own makers, trained to build your drawings exactly.
Youth and young working adults. B40 welcome.
Anyone looking for a lasting, high-skill job.
Existing staff who need upskilling or retraining.
Malaysian or PR
Must hold a blue MyKad or red MyPR.
18 and above, SPM
SPM with all papers passed.
Own transport
To travel to KitaBina and the partner factory, with a valid D, DA or B2 licence. A motorcycle is enough.
Basic English
Most of the course is taught in English.
Full 13 weeks
5-day apprenticeship weeks, 9am to 6pm with a 1-hour break. 2 days of planned personal leave. Other planned or emergency leave is approved case by case and may affect the outcome of the apprenticeship.
We've studied all cabinet-making courses across Malaysia. We're not competing with them. We're differentiating.
The way we teach is straight to the point. No kata alu-aluan, no tea break. Within 3 months, participants have the skills a full-time cabinet-maker job asks for. We are building a new class of local cabinet-maker talent.
Located in USJ, Subang Jaya, Selangor.
No. 48, Block C, Lot 777 & 778, Jalan Subang 4, 47620 Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Life skills coaching, included.
Because skill isn't the hard part. It's the mindset. It's turning up on time, staying at site until it's fixed, and being thankful for challenges.
Anyone who has run a site knows it. Most people can learn to run a machine. What holds them back is turning up every day, thinking a problem through, and speaking up when something is wrong.
We understand the challenge employers face. Most new hires can learn to run a machine. What holds them back is turning up every day, thinking a problem through, and speaking up when something is wrong.
That's why personal life coaching is built into the 3-month program, 2 hours every month, one-to-one and with peers. These are life skills participants carry through their whole career, not just this training or this job.
Commitment
Showing up, on time, every day, and finishing what was started.
Critical thinking
Working out why a cut or a fit went wrong, then fixing the cause.
Assertiveness
Asking, flagging and saying no when a drawing or a deadline does not add up.
6 hours of personal coaching across the program, on top of 104 hours of instructor training.
Fees and plans.
Pay in full online. Monthly plans are arranged with us in person. Employers enrolling staff can choose any of the three.
Fees are not refundable. If you cannot make your intake, or we move it, your place moves to a later intake starting within 12 months of the original start date. If the entry requirements are not met, the fee is not refunded.
We do not promise a job. You graduate with a KitaBina certificate, not an SKM.
What's included
One fee covers training, factory placement, coaching, materials, the course textbook, insurance and the graduation kit.
Pays for itself in a year
One RM1,000 rework a month, from damaged material or machine downtime, adds up to RM12,000 a year. Pay upfront and the course pays for itself in under a year.
Sending your team?
WhatsApp us your company name and the number of staff for a quotation. HRD Corp registration is in progress, ask us.
WhatsApp usSponsors and donors wanted
Sponsor one trainee. 100% of your funds go to that person's course fees, and KitaBina absorbs its own admin fees.
WhatsApp usIncome share agreements
Unable to pay right away? We also accept income share agreements.
WhatsApp us
Questions people ask.
For designers
I'm a designer, not a maker. Is this for me?
Yes. Building cabinets yourself shows you exactly what a cabinet maker can and can't do, so your shop drawings work the first time.
Will I really use the machines?
Yes. Every trainee gets time on every machine, designers included, starting with tool training and safety.
How does it help my shop drawings?
You learn the sizes, gaps, hardware and site conditions a cabinet maker works to, so your drawings answer their questions before they ask.
Will cabinet makers respect me more?
A cabinet maker who knows you've built one feels understood. That's where trust on site starts.
Sending your team
Who should I send?
Your site supervisor, a junior designer, or the carpenter who builds your jobs.
What will they be able to do after?
Read cabinet shop drawings, run the machines safely, and build and install cabinets to spec. Countertops, sinks and lighting are not covered.
Can they take site measurements?
Yes. Week 11 covers taking site measurements and a basic quotation.
What if they leave after the training?
There is no training bond.
Can the factory hours be done in our own workshop?
Yes, if your workshop has the machines the course uses.
Can you send a quotation for our finance team?
Yes. WhatsApp us your company name and the number of staff.
Money
Why does it cost ?
It covers 104 hours of instructor training, a 13-week factory placement, 6 hours of coaching, materials, the course textbook, personal accident insurance and the graduation kit.
How does it pay for itself?
One RM1,000 rework a month adds up to RM12,000 a year. Paying upfront, the course pays for itself in under a year.
Can I pay monthly?
Yes. a month for 3 months, or a month for 13 months, arranged in person. Paying in full upfront saves .
Can my company claim HRD Corp?
Our HRD Corp registration is in progress. Ask us for the latest.
Can I get a refund?
Fees are not refundable. If you cannot make your intake, or we move it, your place moves to a later intake starting within 12 months of the original start date.
Are there hidden costs?
Bring your own safety boots and your own transport. Tools and all other safety gear are provided.
Time and commitment
Can I keep my studio running and train on weekends?
No. The program is full-time, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm with a 1-hour break.
What if I fall sick or have an emergency?
You have 2 days of planned personal leave. Other leave is approved case by case and may affect the outcome of the apprenticeship.
When is the next intake?
WhatsApp "DESIGNER" to +60 17-552 2381.
After the course
Is the certificate an SKM?
No. You graduate with a KitaBina certificate, not an SKM.
What if I fail the final exam?
You get one free resit.
Where and who
Where are the factories?
Our 5 partner factories include Formuniq and MKR Studio, both about 200 m from KitaBina, in USJ 1, Subang Jaya.
Can I visit before signing up?
Yes. Visit the studio and meet the instructors. WhatsApp us to arrange.
Who teaches?
KJ, our Lead Instructor, with the KitaBina instructors and a personal coach.
Is there a hostel?
No. The program is for people living in the Klang Valley for now.
Money
Why does it cost ?
It covers 104 hours of instructor training, a 13-week factory placement, 6 hours of coaching, materials, the course textbook, personal accident insurance and your graduation kit.
Can I pay monthly?
Yes. a month for 3 months, or a month for 13 months, arranged in person. Paying in full upfront saves .
What if I can't pay anything right now?
We accept income share agreements, and sponsors can fund a trainee's full fee. WhatsApp us to discuss.
Do I get paid during the factory placement?
Yes. The partner factory pays you a monthly allowance during your placement.
Can I get a refund?
Fees are not refundable. If you cannot make your intake, or we move it, your place moves to a later intake starting within 12 months of the original start date.
Can my company claim HRD Corp?
Our HRD Corp registration is in progress. Ask us for the latest.
Can I use PTPTN or a loan?
No, PTPTN and loans are not accepted.
Are there hidden costs?
Bring your own safety boots and your own transport. Tools and all other safety gear are provided.
After the course
Will I get a job?
We do not promise a job. You finish with the skills a full-time cabinet-maker job asks for, and our partner factories may offer interviews to graduates.
Is the certificate an SKM?
No. You graduate with a KitaBina certificate, not an SKM.
What if I fail the final exam?
You get one free resit.
Can I do this?
I've never used a power tool. Can I join?
Yes. The course is built for beginners. Every machine starts with tool training.
Is it dangerous?
Safety comes first on every machine, before you cut anything. Personal accident insurance is included.
My English is not strong.
Basic English is enough. Most lessons are taught in English.
Am I too old?
There is no upper age limit. You must be 18 or above.
I didn't pass all my SPM papers.
SPM with all papers passed is required.
Time and commitment
Can I keep my job and train on weekends?
No. The program is full-time, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm with a 1-hour break.
What if I fall sick or have an emergency?
You have 2 days of planned personal leave. Other leave is approved case by case and may affect the outcome of the apprenticeship.
When is the next intake?
WhatsApp "APPRENTICE" to +60 17-552 2381, or see kitabina.my/apprentice.
Why only 13 weeks?
The way we teach is straight to the point. No kata alu-aluan, no tea break.
Where and who
Where are the factories?
Our 5 partner factories include Formuniq and MKR Studio, both about 200 m from KitaBina, in USJ 1, Subang Jaya.
Is there a hostel?
No. The program is for people living in the Klang Valley for now.
Can I visit before signing up?
Yes. Visit the studio and meet the instructors. WhatsApp us to arrange.
Who teaches?
KJ, our Lead Instructor, with the KitaBina instructors and a personal coach.
For employers
Can my staff do the factory hours in our own factory?
Yes, if your factory has the machines the course uses.
Can you send a quotation for our finance team?
Yes. WhatsApp us your company name and the number of staff.
What will my staff be able to do after?
Read cabinet shop drawings, run the machines safely, and build and install cabinets to spec. Countertops, sinks and lighting are not covered.
Join the next intake.
Tell us whether the place is for you or for your team. We'll walk you through the studio, the machines and the next start date.
Tell us whether the place is for you or for your staff. We'll walk you through the studio, the machines and the next start date.
- Sign up here, or WhatsApp "DESIGNER" to +60 17-552 2381
- Sign up here, or WhatsApp "APPRENTICE" to +60 17-552 2381
- Visit the studio, meet the instructors
- Start building, 8 trainees per intake
Check your email
You're on the list.
We'll WhatsApp you to set up a studio visit and tell you the next start date.