Industry Addresses Shortage of Flooring Installers

 

Goodwill of North Georgia and the Chattahoochee Technical College working with the International Certified Flooring Installers Association (CFI) is conducting a three-week, intensive carpet installation training program October 5th through 23rd, 2015 at the college.

To address the shortage of flooring installers, Spectra Contract Flooring collaborated with Goodwill to develop an installation program to put installers to work. Through the efforts of Bill Richards and others at Spectra, CFI conducted a pilot program in May that has proven successful with veterans entering the flooring installation field. Sponsors who participated through this partnership were Patcraft, Shaw Industries, Mapei and Traxx. A relationship exists between Goodwill, Chattahoochee Technical College, Spectra, NWFA and CFI to assist dealers in their search for qualified, well-trained individuals. The course instructors are members of the CFI, Shaw Technical Services and NWFA Teams that are well-known worldwide for the success of their instructional programs.

Chattahoochee Technical College has dedicated space for the hands-on training complete with the modules and tools that are provided by CFI. Goodwill has developed a very extensive network in the community to assist those in search of employment. This is a “win-win” situation for all involved.

A portion and/or all of the tuition is available for students who are veterans or females who elect to enter the trade. The cost per student is $2,050.00 if paid directly to Goodwill. However, if someone is seeking employment that is a veteran or a female who wants to learn the trade, contact Goodwill directly to initiate the required paperwork to apply for grants.

The carpet course will include all facets of training, including estimating, product knowledge, business skills for the independent worker, soft skills and all applicable hand-skills. The focus of the training is hands-on, working in modules to become proficient to enter the workplace upon graduation in the commercial and/or residential field.

The student will also have the opportunity to participate in the National Wood Flooring Association’s (NWFA) training program.

For less than $684.00 per week, the retailer will be able to add an installer to the workplace who possesses the necessary skills to achieve customer satisfaction. It is highly suggested that the graduate work under a qualified flooring professional to become familiar with the day-to-day requirements of the trade. Once this is accomplished, starting with smaller job yardage and progressing upward, the dealer will receive great rewards for the investment that is made. If successfully completed, the installers will be able to install a stretch-in and/or direct-glue installation, do the layout and possess the soft skills to achieve customer satisfaction according to industry standards. Installers who are in the field in the position of an assistant to a lead installer are also ideal for this course to develop another crew who will be among the most knowledgeable and skilled in the industry.

The graduate will receive a CFI Certificate of Training and be eligible to return for certification when completion of two years’ of active flooring installation experience is completed.

CFI looks forward to assisting you in solving this installation shortage. For further information to enroll in the program, please contact Quasandria Turner, Special Projects Coordinator at (678) 766.8163 and/or gturner@ging.org.

For information concerning the structure of the training, please contact Jane Walker at 816.231.4646. Class size is limited, so contact Ms. Turner as soon as possible.