As one of the oldest manufacturers, the company has a long history of offering some of the finest training and certification. Francesca Vaughn, marketing specialist, Armstrong Floor Products, said, “With the rapid changes in flooring materials, adhesives and installation systems, education is key to maintaining productivity while reducing claims.”
While sessions continue
to be offered at its Lancaster, Pa. headquarters, she added, Armstrong also works “[with] our network of distributor trainers throughout the U.S. and Canada,” as well as working with trade associations such as the NWFA, INSTALL and CFI. “We do our best to offer training or certification at the local level.”
When it comes to installers, Vaughn said, “Training and certification is an investment, much like a new work truck or tools. In fact training and certification is a tool to use to gain a competitive advantage. The more products an installer has knowledge and skill to install, the more work that will be able to do when there is less available. It is very important installers are productive on the work they have, to maximize profit, while at the same time producing trouble free installations.”
She explained, installers who participate in certification programs that stress both knowledge and hands on skills, measure themselves against industry standards and can identify areas where additional training would be beneficial. And, once certified in a particular area “an installer can advertise to gain a competitive advantage.”
When it comes to training installers, Vaughn said Armstrong stress two other points beyond skill: knowledge and attitude. “Having workers skilled in 
installing specific products is critical to a successful, on time completion,” but there is more to being a professional, which is where there other points come into play.
On knowledge, she explained, “Understanding the product and its installation system is critical to determining accurately how much time and material will be required to complete a project. Because products are changing quickly and frequently if you install the same today, as you did five years ago chances are high you are experiencing difficulties.”
Attitude, she added, is “a most important key” to being a professional. “It’s the desire to be the best, and the willingness to learn.”
For its retail customers, Vaughn said Armstrong offers comprehensive online training at armstrongctc.com, where the focus is on product knowledge. “And while our award-winning armstrong.com site is geared to consumers, features such as the ‘Flooring Q&A,’ ‘Flooring Glossary,’ ‘Installation Info’ and our ‘Complete Guide to Flooring’ is an easy and quick way to garner useful information.”
For more on Armstrong’s training opportunity, call 866.502.8792 or email armstrongcustomer@geolearning.com.