Dallas—On March 4, the CFI (Certified Floorcovering Installers) installation training school in Dorney, Texas, presented its first graduating class. The certified graduates came off of five weeks of intensive training ready to begin work immediately.
“I am amazed and gratified by the craftsmanship and integrity of work I have witnessed from our trailblazing graduates,” said Robert Varden, vice president, CFI Division of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA). “The hands-on training and low student teacher ratio is of paramount importance to the caliber and success of our CFI students. Unlike other training programs, graduates of our highly efficient class had jobs lined up upon graduation.”
Since its opening a number of retailers have contacted the institution with leads on potential students as well as an interest in underwriting scholarships for students who then can go on to work for them with certified installation expertise.
Lonnie Presson, owner of Lonnie’s Carpet Max based in Rockford, Ill., said he was one of the first business owners in line to secure enrollment for two promising students. “Any retailer would be foolish to not take advantage of the training offered by CFI,” he said. “It’s absolutely amazing to think of the impact that this five-week training course had and will continue to have on the lives of the two students I sent to the school.” Presson said he already has contacted the institution about registration for the next round of training.
Interested students do not need any previous installation experience to attend the CFI class. The course offers a comprehensive lineup of all the technical aspects required for basic residential carpet installation. The next accelerated carpet installation class begins at the Forney school on April 4th followed by another offering of the course in Anaheim, Calif., on May 16th. In addition to the accelerated carpet class, the school also offers long and short-term training programs in every flooring product category for students at all levels. For more information or to register for the new carpet installation class or another program visit: .
“Our training programs are second-to-none and our graduates deliver on our foundation of raising the level of professionalism and craftsmanship in our industry,” Varden said. The training school is designed as part of an industrywide effort to help resolve the installation crisis. “If our recent graduates are any indication of what the future holds in store, then I know we are all headed in the right direction. I hope you will join our effort and support this vital training and certification program.”