Article Number : 3220 |
|
Article Detail |
|
 | |
| Date | 4/30/2008 7:28:09 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=3220 |
| Abstract | PHILADELPHIA—Technical and education experts from more than 50 manufacturing partners of the International Standards and Training Alliance (INSTALL) will take part in a review of the curriculum from which the organization trains and certifies professional installers... |
| Article | PHILADELPHIA—Technical and education experts from more than 50 manufacturing partners of the International Standards and Training Alliance (INSTALL) will take part in a review of the curriculum from which the organization trains and certifies professional installers. The curriculum, developed by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters’ International Training Fund (CITF) of which the alliance is a partner, is on standard skills, carpet and resilient. Cutting-edge program John McGrath, INSTALL’s director, said this review is CITF’s effort to keep its program on the cutting edge of flooring installation training. “To maintain a curriculum that is current with the latest technology and in step with industry requirements, we are asking endorsing mills of the INSTALL program to provide input and counsel regarding the CITF’s carpet, resilient and standard skills training modules.” Doing so, he added, helps INSTALL “to remain as the provider of the best floor layers in North America because of their training by Joint Apprenticeship Training Center instructors who use these CITF materials.” The review is scheduled for May 19 and 20 at the CITF’s training center in Las Vegas. For more information or to reserve a spot, call McGrath at 215.582.4108. Hitting the road As part of INSTALL’s initiative to reach as many people as possible about the advantages of using professionally trained installers, the organization is kicking off its new Regional Conference Series on May 16 in Warren, Mich. The INSTALL Michigan program is the first to host the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature educational seminars as well as a host of exhibitors, including Lew Migliorie, author of FCNews’ “The Claims File.” With manufacturing partners, local contractors, designers and construction specifiers expected, McGrath said, “We anticipate a day of networking, education and opportunities for everyone involved.” He explained the Regional Conference Series is designed to give attendees a “first-hand look at how INSTALL professionals in their region become—and maintain their status as—the best floor covering installers in the area.” Ardex and Interface will be offering continuing education seminars for members of the American Institute of Architects, International Facility Management Association and International Interior Design Association. They will conclude with installation demos by professionals provided by INSTALL Michigan. At press time, approximately two dozen companies—from floor covering manufacturers to adhesive makers and installation tool/accessory suppliers— were scheduled to exhibit. Got wood To offer installers as broad a program as possible, INSTALL has also recently teamed up with the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) to present a joint certification for wood flooring installation. McGrath said the program allows instructors in the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) to gain the authority to test INSTALL professionals and then honor successful candidates by awarding them a UBC/NWFA Wood Flooring Installation Certification. The program centers on a minimum of 48 hours of hands-on and classroom “train the trainer” instruction at the Las Vegas facility based on NWFA standards and manuals. Participants then must pass a 118-question test based on that week’s projects and topics. “If successful,” he explained, “they are then authorized, and certified, to return to their local training center and deliver that 48- our instruction and then test floor installers on wood flooring installation on behalf of the NWFA and UBC.” Ed Korczak, NWFA’s executive director, said even though the association has been a leader in teaching wood flooring installation for more than 20 years, the partnership will allow it “to bring this training and expertise to an even larger contractor audience. In this way, we can promote and advance minimum industry standards for quality wood flooring jobs, which benefits our entire industry.” McGrath concluded the program is “clearly a win-win for all involved, especially the customer, who will get excellent work by a contractor using UBC/NWFA certified wood flooring professionals.” |