Students from Dalton Academy started their first class for dual enrollment at Georgia Northwest Technical College (GNTC) on January 8, 2024. The classes will run Monday to Thursday, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. introducing them to the basic floor covering installation program. This program consists of 300 contact hours of training for carpet, hardwood, resilient and tile installation. On Fridays, they will engage in the school's full-time virtual program to fulfill the remaining coursework required for graduation.

In early December, a pivotal parent/student open house took place in the flooring lab at GNTC. The purpose was to acquaint the students with the flooring program as a viable option for their ongoing education and career development. During the open house, both the students and parents posed insightful questions, gaining valuable insights into the myriad of opportunities within the flooring industry. The meeting concluded successfully, with all attending students eagerly enrolling in the program, which officially commenced today.

"Sustainable recruitment must commence before the college-age phase to fully expose the flooring industry to a new generation of talent. Dual enrollment, which allows high school students to undertake college classes while still enrolled in high school, is a strategic approach," said Kaye Whitener, the Director of Operations at FCEF. "These classes earn both high school and college credits, offering the potential benefit of reducing the number of college courses needed or those in pursuit of a non-degree career, ultimately leading to cost savings. Eligibility criteria for dual enrollment vary by state but typically require students to be juniors or seniors while maintaining a minimum GPA. This is how we begin to build awareness to our industry, and secure quality talent for the labor pool.”

The connection between FCEF and Dalton Academy was established through the introduction made by a local retailer, Sinclair Myers of Myers Carpets in Dalton, GA. Myers explained, "The idea emerged during discussions about the Georgia Match program at an education foundation board meeting." Georgia Match, designed for all high school seniors in Georgia, guides them toward schools and universities that align with their preferences. Curious about the program's inclusion of trade schools, Myers raised the question during discussions with the board and school superintendent, Tim Scott.

Highlighting the shortage of skilled installers in the industry, Myers emphasized the value of trade schools for graduating seniors seeking career opportunities in installation. Through efforts to connect Kaye and Tim, a successful collaboration ensued, with both individuals doing an outstanding job engaging students with the concept. Myers expressed excitement about the potential for these students to become entrepreneurs, benefiting from the education and skills acquired in trade schools, leading to prosperous careers with minimal student debt. I'm very excited about the opportunity for these students to become entrepreneurs and reap the benefits of a flooring installer.”

For more on the Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF), click here.