The Importance of Apprenticeships

By Alan McEwan, CFA President

One of the main priorities for the CFA that is also close to my heart as president is to address the persistent skills and labour shortage facing the UK flooring industry. It is an issue that I have highlighted in previous columns.

The problem is stark: the contract flooring industry has a skills gap of roughly 18%, which translates to a shortage of over 12,000 installers. This gap has widened from 11% five years ago, as more experienced professionals retire at a faster rate than new people are entering the trade.

Part of the solution lies in changing the perception of traditional trades. We need to show that a career in flooring offers more than just a job; it provides a rewarding and varied career path with opportunities for management, business ownership, and even industry leadership. This is especially important in a culture that often pushes young people toward university degrees with the promise of high salaries, which are often not realised.

Another key part of the solution is making sure there are accessible pathways into careers, as well as flooring training options for individuals to become qualified and competent installers.

This includes apprenticeships, numbers of which have been stagnating in some areas, with the average number of apprentices per company less than one.

The CFA has been instrumental in boosting apprenticeship opportunities through its training arm, FITA, with five cohorts of apprentices based out of Loughborough now on programme. The CFA was the driver behind enabling CITB Inchinnan in Scotland to continue flooring apprenticeships in Scotland when delivery by City of Glasgow college stopped. We have initiated a review of apprenticeship funding for our Scottish members, and the CFA has also been successful in increasing funding for apprenticeships in England. The funding covers the cost of the formal training element of the apprenticeship, including attending a college course or training provided by a registered training provider.

There’s also a part to be played by CFA members in promoting the benefits of apprenticeships to encourage more young people to enter the profession and also to recognise the progress of apprentices already in the industry, who are starting to develop into skilled employees.

The CFA Apprentice of the Year Award offers the opportunity to do just that. It provides a platform for apprentices to demonstrate the skills they have developed during their apprenticeship, as well as their enthusiasm for the job, professionalism and general attitude. In return, successful apprentices will be recognised with the title of Flooring Apprentice of the Year, along with a haul of prizes worth thousands of pounds. Their employers also enhance their reputations by demonstrating their commitment to excellence and good practice, as well as their investment in the next generation.

We also need to communicate benefits for employers who embrace apprenticeships. Taking on an apprentice is not only a way to support newcomers to the industry but also a smart business decision. A well-trained apprentice can quickly become a valuable and productive member of your team. Those with established programmes report increases in productivity and service quality, and 82% choose to retain their apprentices after the training period ends. Most CFA contractor members will also be eligible for government funding that will cover between 95–100% of their ‘off the job’ training costs.

It is particularly important for larger companies to do their bit. F. Ball and Co. Ltd, for example, has partnered with the CFA, FITA, and WEBS training to launch Floorsight™, its own apprenticeship programme. This initiative is designed to create a clear career path in flooring and secure the industry’s future.

The programme includes on-the-job learning supplemented by specialised training at the F. Ball Centre of Excellence. Experts from F. Ball’s Training and Technical Service Departments, along with support from floorcovering manufacturers and FITA, will deliver this training. The company will also provide additional resources, including tools, workwear, and laptops for the duration of the two-year course. The first group will consist of 12 young people who will be placed with partnering flooring contractors.

Once again, addressing the challenge requires a unified effort from the entire flooring industry. Manufacturers, distributors, educators, and flooring contractors must work together to identify and recruit new apprentices and nurture fresh talent. As you will no doubt recognise, CFA and partners such as my own company, F. Ball, are very active in addressing the skills and labour issue, and it’s encouraging to witness the growing collaboration across the sector, but we still have a significant journey ahead to fully close the skills gap.

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