Article Number : 3349 |
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| Date | 6/17/2008 10:12:14 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=3349 |
| Abstract | (Kansas City, MO) The first week of June, CFI launched a series of installation training programs in Wolf Point, Montana at Fort Peck Community College sponsored by the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribal Council... |
| Article | (Kansas City, MO) The first week of June, CFI launched a series of installation training programs in Wolf Point, Montana at Fort Peck Community College sponsored by the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribal Council. Jim Walker and Ed Braile conducted a week of training for tribal members focused on the installation of eco-based floor tile. The course was conducted in the Wellness Center of the college as a hands-on participation by the students. Mark Sansaver, Executive Director of the Tribal Council who coordinated the event said, “This is the most extensive training that our members have received. The students build a home every year inside the college. This is the first year that we have included flooring installation in the program. With the expertise of the CFI trainers, we plan to include more training in the different flooring surfaces. The students learned by becoming directly involved in the new flooring project at the Wellness Center. The feedback has been very positive. One of the dealers in town also sent a student to the class. Because we are concerned about the environment, we consulted with Jim Walker to ensure that the products and materials used were eco-based. The selection of Armstrong Migrations Tile flooring is the beginning of numerous projects to follow. We are extremely pleased with the success of the program. The CFI training is also being considered by the association of northwestern tribal councils to be incorporated into their programs. We look forward to working with CFI in the future.” The students were eager to learn a new trade and because of the intricate layout of the 3,200 square feet area, they were able to incorporate many techniques that will prove beneficial in the future. To participate in area projects, it is required that all workers complete a detailed training program. Tim Provence, West Region Manager of Installation and Technical Services for Armstrong Flooring, Bernie Madden of Madden-McFarland Interiors, Ltd. of Leawood, KS and the W.C. Tingle Company of Lee’s Summit, Missouri were all instrumental in coordinating the project. It was a major undertaking to provide equipment, tools, supplies and training materials to the community located in a remote northeastern area of Montana. With the assistance of numerous individuals, the project ran smoothly. Migrations Tile by Armstrong is a new product that is environmentally friendly and also provided the college with a beautiful floor. The installation does require specific techniques, similar to VCT installations, which were taught to the students. Curt Trinder of Trinder Construction in Wolf Point, Montana traveled to Bismarck, North Dakota to participate in a CFI training program. His enthusiasm with the course and trainers, Roy Davison and Duey Johnson led to the involvement of the tribal council for training courses on site. This will be an ongoing training program. CFI is also involved with many of the tribal councils to coordinate individual programs in various sections of the nation. Jodi BlueJacket, CFI Board Member and owner of Installation Management Services of Grand Prairie, Texas conducted a meeting with the Eastern Shawnee Tribal Council in Oklahoma recently. The CFI team met in the BlueJacket Building named after her grandfather who was the first elected chief of the Shawnee Tribe. According to Jodi, “A meeting involving six tribes is scheduled this summer to create training programs designed exclusively to meet the requirements of the tribal members to include flooring installation in their programs. We offer many programs to increase knowledge within the tribe and flooring installation training is a perfect fit. Not only is there an abundance of flooring work required on the tribal land, but training also provides a life-time career for the young people of the tribe. We are looking forward to this new venture.” The CFI program through Associated Builders and Contractors is completing one year of the four-year apprenticeship program under the direction of Rod Von Busch, Chairman of the CFI Marketing Committee. Roger Richardson and Todd Weldon of the CFI Chapter in Pittsburgh are also in the beginning stages of an apprenticeship program sponsored by Molyneaux Flooring and Tile. Dan Frederick, CFI Master of D&R Carpet Service in Brooklyn Heights, OH has incorporated advanced training into the offerings of his firm. Chuck Kubich, CFI Master has been actively involved for four years in training courses for the junior college in Omaha, Nebraska. The program is now sponsored by the group Boys to Men Foundation and is reaching a large number of students. The college also offers flooring courses for customers that are taught by Chuck. Numerous CFI training programs are being formed throughout the country in an attempt to address the need for skilled flooring installers. The partnership with Lowe’s that is addressing carpet installation training for the installers and a separate program designed exclusively for sales associates to “sell” quality installation and become more knowledgeable with the installation process is receiving rave reviews throughout the nation. CFI will conduct 46 events this year. Attendance ranges from 46 to 68 at every event. The installers are involved in two-days of hands-on training that includes seaming of various carpets, stair upholstery without the use of staples, pattern matching and powerstretching techniques. Professionalism and customer service are incorporated into the training. The program coordinated through Seam Master Industries and Koolglide Impax Technology has met with great success and will reach over 2000 installers and 1500 sales associates this year. The installers who pass the CFI requirements obtain a Residential-I CFI Certification. Many are returning to add to their achievement at CFI Certifications events in their areas. CFI All-Surface Training Events and Certifications have been conducted recently in Smyrna, GA sponsored by Romanoff Flooring; in Everett, WA sponsored by Mason Contracting; in Nashville, TN sponsored by Myers Carpet; in Salt Lake City sponsored by Big D Supply; in Pittsburgh, PA sponsored by Molyneaux Carpet and Tile and in San Antonio, TX sponsored by Floor Pro Network. Prior to the 15th CFI Convention in Kansas City, MO July 31st through August 2nd, programs will be hosted by Brandt Flooring Supply in Pueblo, CO on June 20th; hosted by Mohawk and Congoleum July 8-9 in Salt Lake City, UT and hosted by All-County Supply in Farmingdale, NY July 11-12. Following convention, CFI will offer programs in Oklahoma City, OK; Fort Wayne, IN; Milwaukee, WI and Phenix City, AL. The intensive CFI All-Surfaces Flooring Correction Course is scheduled for October 8-10 in Salt Lake City, UT. CFI invites you to visit the website at www.CFIinstallers.com and review the numerous training courses available and call (816) 231.4646 to schedule an onsite event at your location. |