• Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
  • AWARDS
  • EDUCATION
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
  • EMAGAZINE
  • SIGN UP
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Breaking Flooring News
  • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
  • Carpet & Area Rugs
  • Hardwood
  • Installation Products
  • Installation Tools & Equipment
  • Laminate
  • Resilient
  • Specialty
  • Tile & Stone
  • MARKETS
  • Commercial
  • Residential
  • AWARDS
  • Installation Awards
  • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
  • Continuing Education
  • Webinars
  • Sponsored Insights
  • MEDIA
  • FLOOR Podcast
  • Videos
  • TISE 2025 Videos
  • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
  • eMagazine
  • Archive Issues
  • Contact
  • Advertise
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
    • Sponsored Insights
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
Flooring InstallationColumns

Editor’s Letter: FCEF Basic Floor Covering Installation Program Students Step Up

By Beth Miller
Dave Garden instructing class on tile pattern

Dave Garden, class instructor, walks students through the steps required to correctly dry lay tile.

Photo: Beth Miller.

May 2, 2022

The Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) website reads, “It’s time to step up.” This call to action encourages anyone anywhere to support the organization and its efforts to help remedy the installation shortage. However, over the course of the 10-week Basic Floor Covering Installation Program, taking place at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, the students were the ones who stepped up. 

Starting in January, I traveled to Dalton, Georgia to cover the classes. Each week I took photos and video footage of the students working with various materials and tools to catalogue the event. I’m not sure what I expected of the students, but I was surprised to learn that one student had attended hair dressing school and learned it was not for him. Another traveled all the way from Ohio to take the class. One had served his country and decided a career in flooring was for him. Regardless of their backgrounds or reasons for signing up, they were there, and they were committed. 

Week one began in the classroom learning the basics—how to measure a space and determine the amount of floor covering needed. Dave Garden, CFI master installer II and course instructor, tasked the students with measuring the classroom...filled with desks...and computers...and each other. The students nervously and awkwardly let go of the death grip they had on their desks and stepped in the space between the desks to attempt to measure. I am going to be completely honest. If my life depended on me accurately measuring a space, you can bet I am going to meet my maker. So, I felt their pain. 

As each week rolled by, the students grew more and more confident. Dave made a point to keep the camaraderie high and everyone on his toes. Each time someone messed something up, it was a teaching moment but also a time to laugh and not take yourself so seriously. Oh! And let me tell you about the derrieres! Who says plumbers are the only ones who have a monopoly on flashing unsuspecting home owners? All I can say is — welcome to flooring, guys. 

Joking aside...by the end of the program, I had spent enough time with each of them to know that they had overcome enormous obstacles to be there every week. Some struggled with transportation to and from the classroom. Others had to work, detracting from class time. But they showed up late and stayed late, determined to complete the day’s assignment. Dave showed them tremendous grace and made it clear he was there for them. All eight of them were awarded their certificates of completion at the end of week 10. 

Congratulations to Andrew Slaton, Benjamin Stephenson, Wesley Ruiz, John Knowles, Cesar Manzano, Logan Spake, William Rivera and Kendall Keitt. Thank you for letting me be a part of your journey. Each of you showed tremendous grit and determination that I hope you carry with you throughout your careers.
KEYWORDS: education and training Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) flooring installers

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Beth miller authors

Beth Miller began her journalistic journey in 2005 while still working as a mechanic in her dad’s garage. She has written about everything from artists to WWII veterans and in 2010 stepped into the healthcare sector where she created digital content for 11 years. She, then, received her master’s degree in English from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In 2017, she took the leap into the flooring industry. Here, she has discovered a place where she can apply both her technical and journalistic abilities.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • resilient flooring

    The 7 Types of Resilient Flooring

    The resilient flooring category is comprised of many...
    Resilient Flooring
    By: Resilient Floorcovering Institute
  • QuickDrain USA’s ShowerLine linear drain

    Tips for Curbless Shower Installation Using a Linear Drain

    Consider these four tips when planning for a curbless...
    Flooring Installation
    By: Darryl Jones
  • 2024 New Flooring Product Guide

    2024 New Flooring Products Guide

    We explore this year's introductions in area rugs,...
    Commercial Flooring
    By: FLOOR Trends & Installation Editors
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

close

1 COMPLIMENTARY ARTICLE(S) LEFT

Loader

Already a Registered User? Sign in now.

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

SolidTech R: Sustainable, High-Performance Flooring from Bottle to Floor

SolidTech R: Sustainable, High-Performance Flooring from Bottle to Floor

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the FLOOR Trends & Installation audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of FLOOR Trends & Installation or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Woodura Herringbone 2.0
    Sponsored byBjelin

    The Herringbone Floor of the Future

Popular Stories

company branding

Branding and Marketing Strategies for Flooring Contractors

Mimi Mulugeta and Michael Barrows

Military Vet Trades Retirement for New Flooring Venture in Alpharetta

how to properly trowel adhesive

Flooring Adhesives Education: The Key to Preventing Costly Installation Failures


Download the Free Moisture Meters Guide

Events

December 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Growth Challenges in the Flooring Industry

What’s holding you back from growth in 2025?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

See More Products

FLOORtalk podcasts - Listen Now

Related Articles

  • FCEF Installer Course Gets Accreditation.jpg

    FCEF Basic Floor Covering Installation Course Receives Accreditation, Expands Program

    See More
  • Chattanooga State Community College Basic Floor Covering Installation Program

    Chattanooga State is First Tennessee College to Implement Basic Floor Covering Installation Program

    See More
  • FCEF Training.jpg

    FCEF Launches 10-Week Basic Flooring Installation Program

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 9781622700158_c-15_.png

    Flooring and Floor Covering License Examination (C-15) - QuickPass Study Tool Book with Online Interactive Software

  • radiant.jpg

    Radiant Floor Heating, Second Edition

  • floordecore.gif

    Black & Decker The Complete Guide To Floor Decor

See More Products
×

We’re rolling out the red carpet of flooring knowledge!

Stay in the know on the latest flooring retail trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
    • Sponsored Insights
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP