Washington, D.C.—INSTALL, the North American leader in floorcovering installation training and certification, expanded its apprenticeship program to meet the industry’s increasing needs for more highly skilled installers. With the launch of more INSTALL apprenticeship programs by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) Southwest Carpenters Training Fund (SWCTF) in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as the Buena Park Training Center near Los Angeles, Calif., INSTALL now offers the flooring industry’s most endorsed and specified training programs in two critical southwest locations—significantly increasing its training offerings, the group said.
“The western U.S. is rebounding from pandemic shutdowns, while still experiencing a significant trade labor shortage,” said John T. McGrath Jr., executive director of INSTALL. “INSTALL is a great source for well-trained, skilled flooring installers and began offering apprenticeship courses at our the SWCTF training centers as soon as they’ve re-opened. With increasing market demands, we expect our classes, at both training centers, will continue to grow.”
What Las Vegas offers
According to the group, the course offerings in Las Vegas maintain INSTALL’s unparalleled standards developed and maintained by the Carpenters International Training Fund, manufacturers’ subject matter experts and INSTALL’s professionally trained instructors. The curriculum includes the commonalities inherent in all floorcovering installations and the proprietary requirements of each of the industry’s manufacturers. This helps apprentices and mechanics learn and keep up with the best installation methods for each individual flooring manufacturer.
INSTALL’s curriculum is reviewed regularly to ensure the organization offers the most current and comprehensive training in the industry. And students are encouraged to enroll in career-long training to further expand their knowledge.
To create well-rounded installers, the apprentices go through a four-year apprenticeship of learning delivered at training centers and on the jobsites across the USA and Canada. This career-long training delivers the industry’s best and most reliable floor covering professionals, the group said.
Extensive, hands-on training
Whether enrolling as an apprentice in Las Vegas or the Buena Park Training Center, INSTALL’s extensive training program offers a curriculum that requires a minimum of 160 hours of formal training per year and steady jobsite experience.
“INSTALL is a leader in moving the flooring installation trade forward,” said Thomas Rodriguez, senior coordinator for the Southwest Carpenters Training Fund. “Through the expansion of apprenticeship programs to Las Vegas, the organization is offering important in-person interaction with the industry’s leading instructors, which is invaluable to those just entering the trade.”
Future expansion
INSTALL’s west coast training offerings have advanced significantly since the start of the program. Today, the Buena Park Training Center, which opened in 2014, features courses servicing nine INSTALL contractors, while the new Las Vegas center services three INSTALL contractors, and these programs continue. INSTALL said it plans to expand the ever-growing apprenticeship program into Phoenix, Ariz., and into the Pacific Northwest region.