[Dalton] The Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCEF) and its intent to put muscle behind solving the installation crisis came to life under the World Floor Covering Association just before the pandemic hit the U.S. But in 2020, Kaye Whitener came on board as director of operations followed by Jim Aaron being named executive director in February 2021. Together, with the support of industry leaders, Aaron and Whitener have made significant headway in key areas of financial support, training programs and awareness.
“I want things to happen right now, right away,” asserted Aaron. “I’ve been here 15 months and I want it to happen now — I can see the obstacles in the way and want to remove them.”
At the Foundation’s board meeting earlier this month in Stone Mountain, Ga., it was able to report progress made, the piloted Basic Flooring Installation program chief among them.
That program helped shape upcoming programs this August and in January. Shared Whitener, “We wanted to make sure the curriculum provided to us from CFI, CTEF and NWFA was cohesive and what we were intending to come out of the class. This was about awareness and introducing the students to the industry and getting the skill sets. After the training, they can go into the job market as an advanced helper.”
The first program took place at the Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) with eight students starting and all eight graduating. Six of them, Whitener noted, are already working in the floor covering industry now. “Students who graduated from the first program is a testament that this is successful.”
A 15 week accredited program will begin at GNTC in August. Another will begin at the nearby Atlanta Technical College (ATC) in the fall. The ATC program will be embedded in the construction program offering students exposure to flooring installation along with other construction disciplines.
“We now have programs active or approved in three states — Georgia, Oklahoma and Utah — and we have nine states with program development in process,” shared Aaron. “We’re overwhelmed by the interest in this program. Representation of flooring installation in technical colleges is long overdue and we’re proud to say we’re finally getting our seat at the table when it comes to technical colleges.”
Extending Efforts
But the FCEF’s efforts extend beyond launching training programs. A recent move has been to engage Native American Tribes. At the board meeting, special guest Edith Baker, owner of Native Business Strategies, shared with the FCEF’s Board the progress being made with Native American Tribes. Baker is a consultant that helps connect organizations with tribes and navigate the cultural and political aspects of bringing a program to Tribal Nations.
“Native American communities have been on the list of great opportunities for FCEF. Edith has helped us make more connections and opened up more opportunities than we’ve been able to without her knowledge,” offered Whitener. “For the first time, we’ve got some real movement with Native American communities.”
As well, FCEF will attend the American School Counselors Association (ASCA) convention in Austin, Texas. This event draws thousands of school counselors who are exploring opportunities for their students. FCEF will be exhibiting alongside military representatives, other large trade groups and some of the nation’s largest educational organizations.
“We need to start spreading awareness while students are still in school,” said Aaron. “And that starts with counselors, teachers and parents. We need to show that there are other options out there for students and that a trade career is a fulfilling and financially fruitful option.”
FCEF is also launching a new recruit-facing website flooryourfuture.com. This site focuses on the career path, detailed information about the flooring craftsman career and how to access training opportunities.
Looking Local
The FCEF team shared how they will be helping to activate supporters on the local level with a digital awareness kit available to any donor who commits to a $100 per month donation and a Job/Career Fair kit available for a $500 donation.
“There is absolutely no scenario where progress will be made on the installation labor crisis that doesn’t involve engagement at a local level,” stated Aaron. “Our job is to make that involvement as easy as possible for the flooring industry.”
Partnerships, said Aaron, is another area where progress is being made, though he noted that this area as well is not where it needs to be. “Think about what it takes for a technical college to set this up. Every tool for every student in every discipline — that cost can be expensive.”
Some suppliers, including Laticrete, Taylor Adhesives and Ardex, have donated supplies from glue to nails, razor blades to seaming tape. And, added Aaron, there have also been expanded financial donations, including from The Dixie Group. Wellspun announced earlier in the year that it would donate a penny per foot of product sold.
Aaron and Whitener, however, are quick to note that while targets are being achieved, there is much more to be done. “It will take more than a year or two to make significant progress on an issue that has existed for over thirty years,” explained Aaron. “But we are making progress and there is promising news as more and more secondary schools embrace trade skills curriculums and trade careers are beginning to get more attention and respect.”