Union City, Calif.–For two days in June, flooring installers had the opportunity to attend a Certified Floorcovering Installers (CFI) Training and Certification for Carpet at the Shaw distribution facility here. CCA Global has been sponsoring CFI events for several years under the leadership of Robert Varden, CFI executive director.
The training included installation techniques and requirements for a CFI Residential Certification. Varden demonstrated the CFI Proven Methods of Installation, which includes seam construction, pattern matching, powerstretching, stair upholstery and other techniques.
Leigh Bakhtiari of Carpet One Floor and Home, a Diamond Certified firm by Carpet One located in San Rafael, Calif., helped coordinate the event She attended sessions June 17-19, and received the CFI Technical Certification, which is available for dealers, sales personnel and others who are not part of the installation community.
Those who receive this certification must attend the entire event and complete the written portion of the test. This provides a better understanding of the requirements of professional installation and also opens lines of communication with the installers and the customers.
“Even the most experienced installer learned a few new tricks from Robert Varden and Jonathan Varden of CFI,” Bakhtiari said. “I am grateful to Carpet One for extending this training to our members and to CFI for a first-rate certification course. It is worth the time and expense of having an installer off the floor for the days of training and certification.”
Carpet installers were in attendance from six Carpet One retail establishments throughout northern California. At the conclusion of the event, a written test was administered that included required installation techniques, OSHA, EPA requirements and customer service skills.