Danville, Va.—To help dealers and installers better understand the finer points of installing its wood and laminate floor coverings, Columbia Flooring will sponsor basic and advanced classes on the subject throughout the year at its training center here. Each class is taught by Rick Jones, Columbia’s training and technical services manager. Jones will utilize his more than 25 years of industry experience, including 16 of those as the owner of a hardwood flooring store and installation service, to educate participants on the manufacturer’s various product lines. Both the basic and advanced classes are 2-1/2 days in length, running Monday through Wednesday.

The basic course is open to flooring sales reps, dealers, installers, helpers, inspectors, etc. with minimum to intermediate experience. The class offers an opportunity to work hands-on with Columbia specialists who will impart in-depth knowledge of hardwood and laminate flooring. During this time, they will demonstrate new products and teach new practices to enhance the on-the-job performance. Class size for the basic course is limited to 25 students and a deposit of $100 is due to Columbia Flooring two weeks prior to the start of the course. The basic class will be offered four times this year: May 19 to 21, June 9 to 11, Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 and Dec. 8 to 10.

The advanced workshop is geared to individuals who have completed Columbia’s basic class and have a minimum of two years experience installing hardwood and laminate floors. Because of the advanced techniques that will be taught in this course, class size is limited to 12 and a $250 deposit is due two weeks before the first day. Unlike the basic class, this course will only be offered twice in 2003: Aug. 28 to 30 and Nov. 10 to 12. For both classes, Columbia will provide participants with hotel accommodations and meals free of charge. Also, participants will be given tours of the mill’s Danville plant. For more information on attending, contact Sharon Guill at 800/654-8796.