Minding the skills gap
Website Editor • July 19, 2020
Coronavirus put training on hold across the country but the skills gap in the industry hasn’t stopped getting wider with a shortage of qualified fitters in general and skilled installers in particular for some of the more challenging, aspects of the industry. Now, at last, the trainers are able to get back to business.
“Basic training and upskilling, with the introduction of new products and regulations, it is more important today than ever before,” says renowned flooring consultant John Hopkins. “For newcomers to an industry, basic training is essential to enable a person to understand the fundamentals of the job and to carry out a given task correctly. With the development of new techniques, products and regulations, upskilling on a regular basis is essential.”
A number of commercial companies offer practical training courses and seminars of their own products whereas a number of independent organisations offer a more comprehensive range of courses on different products and techniques.
Lee Thompson, technical manager at The Academy said: “We often find self-taught installers will overprice complicated jobs or simply just avoid them altogether. At best this is somewhat deflating for confidence and at worst it is actually damaging to business. Taking a course at the Academy is a way that they can gain skills and make sure they are ready for any challenge.”
In terms of fixing problems, the Academy also adopts a ‘worst case’ approach so that self-taught installers are ready to tackle any on-site problem with fresh-found knowledge and confidence. The training bays at the Academy’s centre in Manchester have just been refurbished with new challenges!
The Flooring Industry Training Association (FITA), an independent, not-for-profit organisation, set up by the NICF and CFA to provide not only courses and workshops designed to suit beginners getting started in the industry, but also upskilling courses aimed towards seasoned professionals.
Following British Standards and current industry best practices, the courses utilise the latest products, tools and techniques. FITA believes its method of teaching gives the best opportunity to learn both new skills and develop existing.
“Improved confidence in their ability through learning the ‘FITA way’ can give floorlayers an edge in a highly competitive market. An investment in training is an investment in a floorlayer’s business and therefore their future,” it says.
FITA runs over 20 different courses ranging from one-day workshops to four-day intensive courses. On-site assessment and training with the chance to achieve an NVQ Level 2 in Floorcoverings is also available.
After discussions with the Trustees and staff at the Museum of Carpet in Kidderminster the National Association of Carpet Cleaners (NCCA) have moved their office from Leicester to the Museum. They will be offering a wide range of specialist cleaning and maintenance courses. This will be of benefit to both the NCCA and the museum.
Floorskills, Europe’s largest and most comprehensive independent training organisation for the flooring industry, is based in Solihull in the West Midlands but suffered major flood damage during the lockdown. Matt Bourne, the Managing Director, says the reconstruction and refurbishment will be up and functioning by August and will be bigger, brighter and more comprehensive than before.
A full range of training and upskilling courses for all areas of the flooring industry both commercial and residential, as well as apprenticeship schemes, will be offered.
The ITFA is an online information resource and training facility at
www.itfacademy.org for the carpet industry, both for manufacturers and retailers, with an extensive online library holding over 2000 pages of carpet information ranging from technical papers, sales aids and
marketing information.
ITFA was launched to the carpet industry in 2018, and was created, developed and operated by experienced carpet industry professionals based in the UK.
In addition to information, ITFA offers a set of online courses including “Fit Me” for installers, “Fibre to Floor” for an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of both synthetic and wool carpets, manufacturing and performance, and a specialist course of carpet inspection and complaints investigation.
ITFA also work with the Woolsafe Academy and shares resources. Steve Bakker of Woolsafe is currently also developing a Wool Specialist Retailer training course for the upcoming WoolSafe Associate Retailer programme.
For more information
Academy for Excellence in Flooring
www.quick-step-academy.co.uk – 0161 877 6955
Flooring Industry Training Association (FITA)
www.fita.co.uk – 0115 950 6836
Floorskills – www.floorskills.co.uk – 01564 703900
ITFA – www.itfacademy.org – 01943 899 682
National Association of Carpet Cleaners
www.ncca.co.uk – 01507 463129
Woolsafe Academy – www.woolsafeacademy.org – 01943 850 817
Following British Standards and current industry best practices, the courses utilise the latest products, tools and techniques. FITA believes its method of teaching gives the best opportunity to learn both new skills and develop existing.
“Improved confidence in their ability through learning the ‘FITA way’ can give floorlayers an edge in a highly competitive market. An investment in training is an investment in a floorlayer’s business and therefore their future,” it says.
FITA runs over 20 different courses ranging from one-day workshops to four-day intensive courses. On-site assessment and training with the chance to achieve an NVQ Level 2 in Floorcoverings is also available.
After discussions with the Trustees and staff at the Museum of Carpet in Kidderminster the National Association of Carpet Cleaners (NCCA) have moved their office from Leicester to the Museum. They will be offering a wide range of specialist cleaning and maintenance courses. This will be of benefit to both the NCCA and the museum.
Floorskills, Europe’s largest and most comprehensive independent training organisation for the flooring industry, is based in Solihull in the West Midlands but suffered major flood damage during the lockdown. Matt Bourne, the Managing Director, says the reconstruction and refurbishment will be up and functioning by August and will be bigger, brighter and more comprehensive than before.
A full range of training and upskilling courses for all areas of the flooring industry both commercial and residential, as well as apprenticeship schemes, will be offered.
The ITFA is an online information resource and training facility at
www.itfacademy.org for the carpet industry, both for manufacturers and retailers, with an extensive online library holding over 2000 pages of carpet information ranging from technical papers, sales aids and
marketing information.
ITFA was launched to the carpet industry in 2018, and was created, developed and operated by experienced carpet industry professionals based in the UK.
In addition to information, ITFA offers a set of online courses including “Fit Me” for installers, “Fibre to Floor” for an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of both synthetic and wool carpets, manufacturing and performance, and a specialist course of carpet inspection and complaints investigation.
ITFA also work with the Woolsafe Academy and shares resources. Steve Bakker of Woolsafe is currently also developing a Wool Specialist Retailer training course for the upcoming WoolSafe Associate Retailer programme.
For more information
Academy for Excellence in Flooring
www.quick-step-academy.co.uk – 0161 877 6955
Flooring Industry Training Association (FITA)
www.fita.co.uk – 0115 950 6836
Floorskills – www.floorskills.co.uk – 01564 703900
ITFA – www.itfacademy.org – 01943 899 682
National Association of Carpet Cleaners
www.ncca.co.uk – 01507 463129
Woolsafe Academy – www.woolsafeacademy.org – 01943 850 817
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