Week eight of the 10-week Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) training at Hawkeye Technical College in Waterloo, Iowa, is coming to a close. For weeks eight and nine, students are learning to install ceramic tile. John Steier, owner of Steier Flooring based in Algona, Iowa, is teaching floor prep and underlayment installation prior to tile installation. 

Hawkeye Community College launched the Flooring Installation Apprenticeship program in June 2023 for individuals to gain basic floor covering installation skills. In this course, students will learn basic floor covering installation that includes both hands-on and classroom training. During the program, they will develop a basic skill set in order to be placed in employment at the advanced beginner level position. Upon program completion, they are ready to enter employment and continue skill development with on-the-job experience.

This Technical College Basic Floor Covering Installation program was created in partnership with International Certified Flooring Installers (CFI), Certified Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) and National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), the recognized certifying and training associations for the floor covering industry.

Thorsha Gary installs her Ardex Flexbone uncoupling membrane. Photo: John Steier. 

 (Front) Freddy Lihole, (Middle) Jerald Dixon, and (Top) Darlington Debah installing Ardex Flexbone uncoupling membrane. Photo: John Steier. 

Darlington Debah. Photo: John Steier. 

 Aiden Nielsen cutting plywood during the floor prep portion of the tile class. Photo: John Steier. 

  Freddy Lihole. Photo: John Steier.

 Aiden Nielsen mixing thinset during week eight of FCEF's 10-week course at Hawkeye Technical College. Photos: John Steier.