ProSource of Elk Grove Village, Ill., hosted CFI laminate/wood and carpet training workshops recently. Installers attended from Illinois, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Florida, as well as neighboring communities.

“CFI training and certification give us a method whereby we know the qualifications of those who represent ProSource,” noted Jeff Bernstein, Regional Sales Manager for ProSource.

“The majority of the installers will apply for their Armstrong Certification and the NALFA Certification after successfully completing the CFI requirements. They do work hard.  After finishing an intensive ten-hour day, they have another 4-5 hours of tests to take at home to return the following day,” added Bob Gillespie, CFI #1 and instructor.

Sponsors included AAT, Armstrong, Bostik, Bostitch, Bullet Tools, DeWalt, Duo-Fast, Home Legends, Koolglide, Kronotex, Lam-Hammer, Leggett and Platt, Lignomat, MP Global Products, Pergo, Personna, Seam Master, TRAXX and Wagner Meters.

“CFI is more than training and certification; we are about pride and professionalism with the ultimate goal of customer satisfaction.  There are no CFI police out there checking on your work; it is the integrity of this group that makes CFI what it is.  I promise you’ll enjoy your two days and become an inspiration for others to get involved.  CFI needs you,” said Jim Walker, CEO during the carpet seminar.  

“In one area, Nate Hall, CFI Master-II and President of the Milwaukee CFI Chapter, worked with the Residential-I and the Commercial-I group and in other areas, Jim Walker and I worked with the advanced categories, pattern matching and stretching techniques and stair upholstery,” said Dave Garden, CFI Master-II from Michigan.

“Most of the group I worked with will return in the fall to test for the advanced categories. The carpet backings and terms tests are difficult and require research to complete successfully as well as the more advanced installation techniques.  After completing this segment of the certification, they will be confident to advance to the next levels. Jeff Bernstein was instrumental in the founding of CFI Wisconsin and has done a superb job in preparing the installers for the workshops,” Nate Hall, president of the Milwaukee CFI Chapter, noted.

“ProSource will be hosting another carpet certification and a resilient certification in late summer or early fall. Everyone is welcome even if they don’t represent our stores,” Jeff Bernstein said. “Because of the limited space for the hands-on training, we used every corner of this facility to accommodate 31 people. The modules were full and the installers thanked us at the conclusion of the event for hosting the training.”

“Today, there is really no excuse not to receive the latest training in this industry. The sales associates can also receive a CFI Technical Certification by participating in the workshops. The CFI Team of 76 instructors is very busy this year with a full calendar of events. We invite the entire flooring industry to become involved,” Garden added.

For more information on CFI training, visit www.CFIinstallers.com or call (816) 231-4646.