Article Number : 3592 |
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| Date | 8/29/2008 8:34:03 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=3592 |
| Abstract | By Lew Migliore (Editor’s note: Lew Migliore, author of FCNews’ “Claims File” column and the industry’s premiere troubleshooter, was not only a participant in the INSTALL conference but acted as an observer on behalf of Floor Covering News... |
| Article | By Lew Migliore (Editor’s note: Lew Migliore, author of FCNews’ “Claims File” column and the industry’s premiere troubleshooter, was not only a participant in the INSTALL conference but acted as an observer on behalf of Floor Covering News.) LAS VEGAS—Members of INSTALL, the International Standards and Training Alliance, gathered here for two days to take part in the Floor Layer Curriculum Update Conference. Held every two years, the conference is conducted to make the floor covering industry’s wishes come true relative to installation. In other words, without installers floor covering is just ballast, and the purpose of INSTALL is to elevate the industry and make it flourish. More than 30 floor covering manufacturers, consultants, adhesive, tool and equipment manufacturers, and over 20 trainers and project staff members reviewed and offered valuable suggestions to further enhance the more than 100 learning modules so that instruction stays current with the latest technology and in step with industry requirements. Work focused on carpet, resilient and standard skills training. The start of the conference included “Hot Topics,” that is, contributions by manufacturers to be included in the training manuals and programs specific to their floor covering products and systems that are new. There were a number of issues discussed that will be included in the continually updated training curriculums. The manufacturers at this meeting were there to make sure their guidelines are being taught in the curriculum. It also dealt with green building aspects as they apply to the standard skills manual. Since environmental issues are of utmost importance to manufacturers and end users alike, it is incumbent upon installers to be up to date on the same issues. The first day of the conference was spent on carpet with all aspects of the training curriculum being covered. It is interesting to note that a history of carpet is included in the introductory training portion of the curriculum so trainees learn not just how to work with and install it. Since the training programs take a new tradesman from apprentice to journeyman and continue the education process with both classroom and hands-on programs, it is conducted in stages much like a normal school education program. While the training is continually updated every two years, a conference of this type is held to bring the industry together and collectively contribute to the training. It’s amazing how the process progresses and how much is accomplished. This is the only entity of its kind in existence with the capability to conduct such a program. The training is also career long, it doesn’t end with journeyman status. The second day of the conference was devoted to resilient flooring with the same attention to detail afforded carpet. The input by industry representatives was extraordinary with competitors freely discussing issues pertinent to each and contributing information and suggestions beneficial to all. This is likely the only venue you’ll ever see with a dialogue so open. There are also programs for wood installation training that have been teamed up with the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) and other hard surface materials as well. The INSTALL curriculum review, with its training program, strives to make sure the industry’s floor covering products are installed properly and according to specifications. That the manufacturers freely and actively participate in this process is a testament to the professionalism of all involved. The INSTALL training programs and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters International Training Fund will help eliminate installation claims and problems. This program not only has benefits for commercial installations but residential as well. The ultimate purpose is to recruit and train floor covering installers and provide work to the members, and not just on union jobs. It is also not an effort to unionize the industry or the trades, which is a point made very clear. As we look to the future for trained, qualified and professional installers who can receive formal and ongoing training, who else is going to do this? No other entity in the industry has the monetary ability, training locations and dedicated trainers to provide this sorely needed service. With the in-evitable warranties that will arise on floor covering products in the future, based on the professional installation by trained and certified installers, the industry will benefit from the ongoing training provided with a workforce that caters to ensuring flooring materials are properly installed with a program partnered with the industry. To this end, INSTALL not only conducts the curriculum review every two years but actively works with all types of schools and communities to enlist young men and women into the floor covering trades. |