Celebrating the first-of-its-kind flooring installation training school in Troy, Michigan, The Carpet Guys Flooring Center, in partnership with the Certified Flooring Installers (CFI) association, hosted the official ribbon cutting and grand opening of the state-licensed TCG Installer Training Center on February 18, 2025. The event brought together the school’s founders, financial supporters and educational partners. 

The Training Center is the brainchild of Joe Zago, owner, The Carpet Guys, who founded the business in 2010. The goal is to provide high school students with an opportunity to enter a fulfilling career in flooring installation. In addition to the hands-on training, the Training Center offers job placement assistance following course completion as well as financial aid options. 

“Our owner has the passion and commitment to ensure that flooring installation remains a marketable trade, so we can serve our customers and continue to grow our company,” said Jennifer Spear, director of operations and finance, The Carpet Guys. 

Approximately 35 attendees were present to mark the launch of the training center. The first round of students recently graduated from the CFI 5-Week Intro to Residential Carpet Installation course.

"One of our Construction Pathways graduates, Israel Omoniyi, successfully completed the flooring program and has obtained an apprenticeship opportunity working closely with one of The Carpet Guys installers," according to Nicholle Larry, placement & retention services manager, Focus: Hope, an organization offering workforce development programs.

The five-week course is comprehensive, including job site safety, measuring, tool education, product knowledge, floor prep, intro to patterned material, power stretching, as well as advanced power stretching techniques. 

“This celebration is not just about a new facility; it’s about paving a sustainable path forward for the flooring industry,” said Dave Garden, executive director of education, CFI. “The TCG Installer Training Center stands as a testament to what can be achieved through innovative training and strong partnerships. We’re excited to see this program empower the next generation of flooring professionals and help rebuild our workforce.”

Tuition costs for the course can be covered in several ways.

TCG has partnered with Focus: Hope to aid with student enrollment as well as financial resources. Focus: Hope programs are scholarship-based and free to most of their students, according to their site.

"This partnership between Focus: Hope and The Carpet Guys represents a significant opportunity to connect our program graduates with meaningful career pathways," said Larry. "By actively training and hiring our graduates, The Carpet Guys helps us fulfill our mission of Focus: Hope's workforce development and economic impact. Additionally, their participation in our quarterly career fairs enhances our ability to provide our graduates with direct access to industry partners, valuable networking opportunities and potential employment. This collaboration shows our commitment to bridging the gap between training and sustainable careers, ultimately strengthening our workforce and talent pipeline initiatives."

The Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) provides scholarship opportunities for the course, covering up to $2,500. TCG also offers payment plans. 

“We're excited to see dealers take ownership of their own needs in their business,” said Kaye Whitener, executive director, FCEF. “It’s a different way for dealers to develop the skillsets of those coming into the industry as well as strengthen their business for the future.” 

The next class starts on March 10, 2025, in Troy, Michigan.