Article Number : 4972 |
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| Date | 10/14/2009 9:17:57 PM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=4972 |
| Abstract | (Kansas City, MO) Installation workshops and training seminars are being conducted throughout the U.S. The following are a sample of the various events held recently by CFI and their partnership with... |
| Article | (Kansas City, MO) Installation workshops and training seminars are being conducted throughout the U.S. The following are a sample of the various events held recently by CFI and their partnership with WFCA, Armstrong, NWFA, and Mohawk University. CFI-WFCA INSTALLATION WORKSHOP in NEW JERSEY Jim Walker, Jon Namba, Ed Braile and Cynthia Aufiero recently completed a two-day, hands-on skills carpet workshop for residential installers. This was an intensive educational event that resulted in 22 installers achieving the R-I and C-I CFI Carpet Certification. The installation manager, Alan Feinstein of Flooring Installation Services of Old Bridge, New Jersey was ecstatic over the success of the event. “We have never received this type of one-on-one training in our workroom. I attended the CFI Installation Inspector Conference in Kansas City and was impressed with the methods and knowledge that the CFI Team shares. Immediately upon returning to work, we made the decision to bring this information to our group. We had all the tools, but because of the lack of training in our industry, few installers have the opportunity to learn the correct methods from the onset of their careers. They learn from others. If that person is working according to the requirements of the trade, that is one thing. But, most often, they are unaware of the newer, improved methods that help the job run smoother.” “CFI’s strong point is relating to others,” Feinstein continued. When Jim Walker gave his motivational speech about pride, he had my group. They arrived the following morning one-half hour early to make certain they were not held up in traffic. They were not ready to leave when the day was over. They learned the best methods of seaming, stair upholstery, the installation of runners, powerstretching, pattern matching and an abundance of information concerning substrate preparation requirements. Jon Namba and Ed Braile were actively involved with assisting our team to improve and add to their skills. This type of training includes each installer and gives them an opportunity to participate. This is what we liked most about the skills training because the installers learn much more by being involved than by sitting in a classroom listening to someone give them instructions.” “It has been one week since the CFI Team was here and we have installed thousands of yards of carpet and not one complaint has been received. We have offered the installation team dinner for them and their families if this continues throughout the month of October,” said Feinstein. “We have already contacted the CFI National Office and scheduled advanced training in the early part of next year and also some hard surface training. Our goal is to deliver the finest installations in New Jersey and we are on the way to making this happen. I highly recommend CFI training and encourage all dealers and workrooms to get involved. You can’t lose when your customers are satisfied,” Feinstein concluded. CFI -ARMSTRONG RESILIENT WORKSHOP in WASHINGTON The CFI-Armstrong Certified Installer training hosted recently by Pacific Mat and Commercial Flooring in Kent, Washington provided the opportunity for installers to achieve both their residential and commercial vinyl certifications through Armstrong and CFI. The installers worked in individual mockups performing seaming, cutting, fitting, seam welding and flash coving exercises. The two-day course consisted of long hours, but the installers were all too willing to learn as much as possible from the event. Matt Fett of Kent, Washington stated, “This was a great class and Jon Namba is an outstanding instructor. I learned a lot that I never expected to be available in a class like this. The training I received will definitely assist me in becoming a more qualified installer.” Jason Hirschfelt of Auburn, Washington, “This was an excellent course with so much good information to help us work smarter. Jon Namba does a great job of instructing and sharing interesting information that we can use in the future.” James Page and Darrell Ramey who attended from Alaska stated, “This is one of the best installation courses we have ever attended. We are excited about the opportunity to achieve our CFI and Armstrong Certifications.” “We are always available to assist in hosting any type of installation training in our area. We know that it makes a gigantic difference in the quality of the installation our customers receive,” said Greg Szalay of T&A Supply who also attended the course. “CFI always does an outstanding job of relating to the installers and promoting the importance of being proud. I recommend these courses to everyone in the industry.” CFI –WFCA CARPET and WOOD WORKSHOP in SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS In San Antonio, Texas, the CFI installation team returned for the third time this year to work with the flooring installers who represent Pro Floor Network, a large installation workroom that services many accounts, including the Home Depot. Twenty-three installers attended the 2-day wood certification class to achieve their Armstrong, NWFA and CFI Certifications. Their skills were displayed installing the wood and laminate products in individual mockups. The course also includes product knowledge, moisture issues and professionalism. One of the owners, Lorrie Balusik stated, “The expertise with which the CFI team shares their skills and knowledge with the group cannot be found anywhere in this industry. Their patience and willingness to help each installer achieve their individual goals helps our company to continue to grow. We enjoy them being here several times a year and can always see a difference in pride and professionalism when they leave. We are already planning for more courses this year.” WOOD TRAINING and CERTIFICATION in MICHIGAN December 4-5 in Clinton Township, MI, the CFI Wood Course will be hosted by the Contract Resource Group and Installation Services of Sterling Heights, MI. This is hands-on training in small groups. The Armstrong Wood and Laminate Certification are offered (www.floorexpert.com) and the opportunity to take the National Wood Flooring Association Certification online. Space is limited. THE IMPACT OF CERTIFIED INSTALLERS CFI training is available to all segments of the flooring industry. Steve Scott stated, “Carpet Weavers has hosted CF in our Bloomington, IL location to enhance the skills of our installation teams. Believe it or not, Carpet Weavers is having a good year, well above industry standards. When we needed more installers, I immediately contacted the CFI National Office for assistance. We were excited about the installers who replied to our need. Their quality of workmanship, their attitudes and high customer service values help Carpet Weavers to achieve our goal of customer satisfaction.” CFI PARTNERSHIPS with ARMSTRONG and NWFA The CFI educational programs are available to everyone. With Armstrong as a partner, the installers have the opportunity to achieve the status of an Armstrong Certified Professional, receiving all the benefits listed at www.floorexpert.com for wood, laminate, residential and commercial vinyl certifications. The opportunity to achieve the certification from the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) is also available following the wood training. CFI –WFCA WOVEN and PATTERNED CARPET WORKSHOP in UTAH The CFI Carpet Certifications and Training continue to draw installers who want to enhance their skills. November 12 and 13 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the woven and patterned carpet workshop is hosted by Mountain States Marketing. It is the only course of this type offered in the industry in which the installers spend two days working in large room-size modules confronting issues that occur on jobsites and learning how to correct them. Attendance at the workshop is limited due to the intensive hands-on training. There are open CFI Carpet Certification dates scheduled in Toledo, OH on November 6-7, in Indianapolis on November 12-13, in Pittsburgh, OH and Atlanta, GA on December 4-5. Contact CFI to schedule an event for your store or workroom. You will be contacted with the plans to host an open or closed event to achieve the goal of customer satisfaction every time for every purchase. JOIN the WORLD FLOOR COVERING ASSOCIATION Join WFCA! Not only does WFCA offer a tremendous amount of educational opportunities online and through publications, they offer the CFI training programs funded 100% up to $500.00. Pay your dues early ($225.00) through CFI to take advantage of all the educational offerings throughout the year to improve the success of your business. You have the opportunity to use the elaborate website, receive the magazines, bulletins, the online news and much more. Be sure that on January 1st, 2010, you are a WFCA member! Information online at www.cfiinstallers.com. If you join in 2009, the benefits of membership are available only in 2009. CFI has trained almost 40,000 installers worldwide and continues to promote quality installation in all flooring surfaces through education. CFI celebrated 16 years of installation training and certification recently in Kansas City, Missouri. Under the direction of Jim Walker, CEO, Jon Namba, Executive Director and President, Roy Davison and the Board of Directors, the future for the advancement of qualified installation flooring professionals has never been brighter. |