Skilling up for success
Whether it’s selling flooring, fitting or service, it is often investment in skills development that is left behind when businesses are battling to preserve their position in a tight market.
And many of the issues have been aggravated by the suspension of
training activities during the pandemic which cost the sector well
over a year of training time, and the loss of some skilled, experienced
personnel post-pandemic.
As we report below, training in the installation sector is back up to speed
and seeking candidates but there are also interesting opportunities in
retailing and service.
Increasing the number of skilled floorlayers within our industry is essential in order to provide a constant and correctly trained source of skills and labour for the sector, says FITA.
“Training courses and apprenticeships are a key focus in
helping to battle the skills shortages that we are facing due to
an ageing workforce,”
comments Shaun Wadsworth of FITA.
FITA, as the only not-for-profi t training organisation in the industry has
provided specialist training for the fl oorcovering sector for over twenty
years and has continuously trained the next generation of floorlayer.
“We offer over 20 flooring training courses at various levels
meaning there are courses to suit real beginners in the industry
as well as upskilling courses aimed at converting workers moving trades into professional floorlayers,”
says Shaun.
FITA also delivers apprenticeship training in the East Midlands and
employing an apprentice can be linked directly to improving the
productivity of a business.
“The role of training in addressing one of the biggest challenges facing the industry means that it is in the interests of manufacturers to ensure that there is widespread access to high quality training,” says Darren Kenyon, sales director of F. Ball & Co. Ltd.
This is one reason why F. Ball offers free training courses for flooring
professionals of all skill levels, led by industry experts, at the purposebuilt
F. Ball Centre of Excellence at its Staffordshire headquarters. These
include specialist courses for apprentices and flooring retailers.
“In order to help flooring contractors meet ever-changing
demands, training providers should regularly evaluate and
refresh content to keep up with industry changes, as well as
tailoring content to flooring professionals at different
stages in their careers,”
says Shaun
“Experience also shows that people get the most from practical
instruction. This is why courses at the F. Ball Centre of Excellence have
been configured to offer dynamic, hands-on learning experiences with the chance to use a range of F. Ball products,” he said.
The new Academy for Excellence in Flooring in Liverpool
sponsored by Quick-Step and Pergo is now open and has recently been
accredited by the NICF.
With a decade spent training the next generation of installers at its
previous location, the Academy has opened its doors on its new
Knowsley, Liverpool facility. Taking 10 years of refinement into a brand new centre has allowed the Academy to create the perfect training
environment for novices and experienced professionals alike.
Now with six 12m2 bays, the Academy has achieved the
perfect balance between course attendees and trainers.
A dedicated training room provides the right environment for
theory-based learning and product tuition, with the breakout
area providing a space to gather between sessions away from dedicated learning areas.
The Academy also features a special cutting room that keeps dust and
noise to a minimum, allowing for a cleaner and more supportive practical
learning environment.
And to make sure that knowledge is shared equally among all, a dedicated demonstration zone gives ample room for everyone to get a good view.
After an evaluation visit to the Knowsley site, the Academy’s new
facilities and Master Installer course content has also been accredited by
the NICF (National Institute of Carpet & Floorlayers). This means that
those successfully completing the Master Installer Wood & Laminate
programme at the Academy, can also qualify for NICF Master Installer
status. Currently, Master Installer Wood & Laminate is only Academy for
Excellence course accredited by the NICF.
The Academy for Excellence in Flooring is now taking bookings on course
dates throughout 2023.
“It is vitally important that the flooring industry accelerates
skills development to meet demand and ensure that the
general competence of floor layers remains high
– and that’s why we run the Bostik Academy,’
says Paul Sycamore, Training Manager at Bostik.
“Based at our headquarters in Stafford, the Bostik Academy is a
knowledge centre that has been carefully created for professionals in the
construction market. It’s a calm, pleasant environment where we provide
both theoretical and practical training on the Bostik range in a hands-on
way,” says Paul. “The aim is that attendees will go away with a good
understanding of and confi dence in using our products, and know that
they can call us anytime for advice or a refresher if needed.
The Bostik Academy offers all kinds of training, and is adapted it to whatever the attendees want, whether it’s at Bostik headquarters, out in the field, or online. If someone wishes to enhance their knowledge of smoothing compounds, for example, they can focus on smoothing compounds. Every session they do is unique, whether it’s for two people or 24.
“The key is meeting the clients’ requirements and ultimately
ensuring that floor layers can learn the skills they need to meet demand and provide the best possible service.,”
says Paul.
SMARTER SELLING SKILLS
On the retail shop floor,
Associated Weavers are on a mission to
turn sales staff into “carpet and flooring champions” and the company
invested in a new AW Academy which opened in Q4 2022 at the
company’s HQ in Halifax.
The company hosts multiple sessions each month with a full-day training on carpet and another focussing on LVT. The course can be taken separately or they can be combined into a two-day course. The sessions are designed to be exciting and engaging with a mix of presentations, films, hands-on training and a visit to the impressive Invictus Experience Centre that sits alongside the Academy at the Halifax Dean Clough Mill site.
“A salesperson who knows more, sells more!,”
says AW,
“and apart from the practical help, we also share our latest
vision on customer experience and the importance of lifestyle, colours and brands.
CLEANING UP ON COLOURS
The WoolSafe Academy is the training arm of The WoolSafe
Organisation, the cleaning industry service provider, devoted to
promoting best practice in carpet and rug care.
The Academy provides professional training courses (both classroom and online), technical literature, manuals, professional standards and expert advice to all those involved in the manufacture, sales, ownership and maintenance of carpets and rugs.
A new focus is on the variety of issues related to colour loss or colour
change in carpets and rugs. which can be caused by a wide range of
factors including chlorine bleaching, sun fade, pet urine contamination,
benzoyl peroxide bleaching and staining from spills.
“We have great news,”
says Steve Bakker, WoolSafe Global Marketing Director.
“WoolSafe is launching a network of Approved Colour Restorers
in 2023 to train up our experienced WoolSafe Approved
Service Providers in the art of colour restoration.”
“We have teamed up with Gabriel Andreca of Brio Dyes and look
forward to helping commercial and residential clients avoid costly
replacement and extend the life of their carpets and rugs by correcting
the damage that has occurred. Colour repairs carried out by WoolSafe
Approved Colour Restorers is usually invisible and permanent,” says Steve.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
AW ACADEMY • 01422 431100 • www.associated-weavers.co.uk
BOSTIK • +44 (0)1785 272625 • www.bostik-profloor.co.uk/training
F. BALL • 01538 361633 • www.f-ball.com/training
FITA • 0115 950 6836 • www.fita.co.uk
QUICK-STEP ACADEMY • T 028 302 58094 •
WOOLSAFE • 01943 850817 • www.WoolSafe.org
