Breaking Barriers: Adele Anderson’s Journey in Flooring

Adele Anderson, a 26-year old floor layer from Gloucester, is proof that the flooring industry offers fantastic opportunities for women seeking hands-on, rewarding careers. Having explored various jobs in her early working life, Adele found her niche in flooring, a decision that has brought her both job satisfaction and career stability.

Adele’s path into flooring was inspired by her father, Trevor Anderson, who has run his own flooring business, Chlodel Carpets & Flooring, for 16 years. After travelling and exploring other career options, Adele eventually committed to working full-time with her dad. While she had previously helped on jobs, her decision to fully embrace flooring led to training and skill development.

Starting with floor preparation tasks, Adele gradually honed her skills. “I’d prep all the rooms before my dad fitted the carpet, and I quickly learned how important the preparation stage is,” she recalls.

Today, Adele is confidently managing her own workload, preparing floors, installing carpet, and specialising in LVT installations, a product she particularly enjoys, due to its precision and manageable size.

Despite her growing expertise, Adele initially faced challenges as a woman in the industry. “Some customers and co-workers would question whether I could manage the physical demands, but once they saw what I could do, those doubts faded.” Adele attributes her success to building her skills and confidence. “You don’t need to be incredibly strong, it’s all about technique.”

Adele highlights LVT as an excellent option for newcomers, particularly women. “It’s easier to handle than large carpet rolls, and I believe women often have an eye for detail, which suits the intricate work LVT requires,” she says. Her recent achievement – a stunning herringbone LVT floor with a gold trim border, remains one of her proudest projects.

Training has played a key role in Adele’s journey. She completed Karndean’s Level 1 LVT course, alongside subfloor preparation training with ARDEX and F. Ball and Co. Ltd. While she has not pursued an NVQ, Adele values practical, hands-on learning and is eager to continue developing her skills.

For women considering flooring as a career, Adele’s advice is clear: “Don’t let the idea that flooring is a ‘man’s world’ put you off. It is about learning the skills and building confidence. Apprenticeships and on the-job training are brilliant ways to get started.” She encourages new starters to explore available training opportunities, including free courses and local apprenticeships.

Adele believes the industry could do more to promote flooring as a career for women, particularly by increasing outreach in schools. With flooring offering variety, job satisfaction, and the chance to see tangible results from hard work, Adele hopes more women will recognise the potential this industry holds.

“I never imagined myself working in an office, I love being hands-on,” Adele says. “Flooring is rewarding, and no two jobs are ever the same. I’d recommend it to anyone who likes practical work and wants a career that keeps them engaged.”

Adele’s journey is an inspiring reminder that flooring is not just a man’s world, it is an opportunity for skilled, dedicated individuals of any background to build a successful career.

Find out more about the opportunities and benefits of joining a career in the flooring industry from the CFA’s Future Fitters guide: www.cfa.org.uk/Future-Fitters-Recruiting-More-Floorlayers/