FLOORS & FLOORING / FLOORING SHOW PREVIEW
FUTURE FITTERS
CONTRACT FLOORING ASSOCIATION TACKLES SKILLS & LABOUR SHORTAGE IN FLOORING SECTOR
The Contract Flooring Association ( CFA ) is launching a new campaign aimed to tackle a skills and labour shortage currently affecting the flooring sector . The CFA has calculated that there is a labour deficit of 16 % currently , which has worsened from 11 % before the pandemic .
Brexit , Coronavirus , changes to standards , apprenticeships and funding have all contributed to this . Were it not for the work carried out by the CFA , the training bodies and manufacturers , the situation would be a lot worse . The CFA has been very active in this area for a number of years , especially with regarding to training , since in partnership with the National Institute of Carpet & Floorlayers , it runs the Flooring Industry Training Association ( FITA ) and also publishes an annual and thoroughly comprehensive Training Guide , which is available as a download from the CFA website .
However the CFA is leading its sector with the launch of Future Fitters and calls on contractors to join the campaign , both by taking on new entrants and by becoming STEM ambassadors .
The objective of the campaign is to identify and increase the number of floor fitters ( of all ages ) entering the UK commercial and domestic floor laying industry . It will do this by providing training and support for individuals to become skilled , competent and qualified installers .
The Future Fitters concept is based on four key pillars :
1 . THE PIPELINE
A key aim is to increase the number and quality of potential floor layers for companies to employ . Young people will be encouraged to consider a career in floor laying , while at the moment the CFA believes that the flooring industry too often plays second fiddle to other trades .
This is where the STEM Ambassadors scheme has a role to play . Both Richard Catt , CEO of the CFA , and Shaun Wadsworth , Training Manager , have signed up as STEM Ambassadors and are encouraging as many others as possible to get involved , going into schools and colleges and spreading the word about careers in the flooring sector .
“ Nothing helps spread the message more effectively than word of mouth from people who actually know our industry ,” says Richard .
Full information is available on the STEM Ambassadors website and the CFA offers added value to members with support material and simple presentations that will help get the message across about opportunities in the sector .
2 . INCREASE DEMAND FROM EMPLOYERS
A key issue is that there are insufficient new entrant positions for floor laying roles , with structured training and qualifications attached . So CFA is looking to encourage flooring contractors to invest in offering opportunities for new entrants , of any age , to enter floorlaying .
3 . EXPAND LOCALISED TRAINING PROVISION
Another barrier is the limited number of training providers available ( particularly for apprentices ) across the country . The CFA provides a point of contact for any college or commercial provider considering offering apprenticeship delivery , and will support them with practical advice , signposting and contacts .
4 . IDENTIFY NEW INDUSTRY / FINANCIAL SUPPORT
The CFA Training Guide includes a section on financial support available for trainees in floor laying , and CFA continues to seek new avenues and funding to help support the training and development of skills and labour . There are many courses offered by CFA manufacturer members which are free of charge , and all CFA members receive a discount of 15 % off all training delivered by FITA . All apprentices are eligible for basic government funding to cover the cost of their college courses and CITB-registered companies can obtain additional grant funding and enhancements .
The Future Fitters Guide is available as a download from the CFA website . This provides signposting to some of the main resources to help individuals understand the opportunities and benefits of a career in floor laying . It will also help flooring contractors identify and employ the most suitable candidates for their businesses .
The CFA is a leading trade association representing the flooring Industry . If you would like an application pack outlining the benefits of membership , please contact the CFA offices on 0115 941 1126 , email info @ cfa . org . uk or apply online at www . cfa . org . uk .
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