Armstrong’s Tim Provence teaches seam welding and flash coving during the recent International Certified Floor Covering Installers Association (CFI) Vinyl Certification in Anchorage, Alaska at the Sherwin Williams facility. Photo courtesy CFI.


Training is critical for all segments of the floor covering industry. From training your salespeople and office team, to your installers and other personnel, the systems and business practices are changing at a quick pace. Are you making sure they are continually receiving training opportunities?
Training is now available from your manufacturer and distributor partners, software technology providers and industry associations as well as trade shows/conventions. The topics of training are virtually limitless and are offered online, at your location, on dvd/video or at the location of the selected trainer.
In the floor covering industry, installation methods, technologies and selling techniques are evolving quickly, forcing all segments to continue to hone their skills for success. Don’t forget that your competitors are constantly honing their staffs’ skill set to become the dominant player in your area.
Following is a short list of training schools. A complete list is available on our website: www.ntlfloortrends.com


Training Schools:

Ardex,(888) 512-7339, info@ardex.com
Armstrong Wood Installation School,(800) 356-9301 x5376, www.floorexpert.com/installertraining
Carpet & Rug Institute,(706) 278-3176, www.carpet-rug.org
Ceramic Tile Distributors Association,(800) 938-2832, www.ctdahome.org
Ceramic Tile Education Foundation,(864) 222-2131, www.tileschool.org
Ceramic Tile Institute of America,(310) 574-7800, www.ctioa.org
Ceramic Tiles of Italy,(212) 661-0435, www.italiatiles.com
Flexco,(800) 633-3151, www.flexcofloors.com
Floor Installation Association of North America (FIANA),(888) 883-4262, www.fiana.org
Forbo,(800) 342-0604, www.forbolinoleumNA.com
INSTALL,(215) 582-4108, www.installfloors.org
Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration, Certification,(360) 693-5675, www.iicrc.org
International Certified Floor Covering Installers Association,(816) 231-4646, www.CFIinstallers.com
Laticrete International,(800) 243-4788, www.LATICRETE.com
Mannington,(856) 935-3000, www.mannington.com
MAPEI Technical Institute,(954) 246-8555
Mohawk University,(800) 664-2958, www.mohawkuniversity.com
National Tile Contractors Association,(601) 939-2071
National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA),(800) 422-4556, www.nwfa.org
North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD),(312) 321-6836, www.nafcd.org
North American Laminate Flooring Association,(202) 785-9500, www.nalfa.com
Painters and Allied Trades,(888) 934-6474, www.LMCIonline.org
Pergo,(800) 249-0042, PEI@pergo.com
Roppe,(800) 537-9527, www.roppe.com
Schluter Systems,(800) 472-4588, www.schluter.com
Shaw Learning Academy,(800) 811-2404, www.shawlearningacademy.com
Surfaces,(800) 547-3477, www.surfaces.com
Tarkett Commercial,(800) 366-2689 x2709, TarTech@Tarkett.com
Tile Council of North America,(864) 646-8453, www.tileusa.com
Tile of Spain,(305) 446-4387, www.spaintiles.info
World Floor Covering Association,(800) 624-6880, www.wfca.org