The International Certified Flooring Installers Association (CFI) recently held training and certification for carpet, sponsored by CCA Global, in Union City, Calif., at the Shaw Distribution Facility.

The training included installation techniques and requirements for a CFI residential certification. Robert Varden, CFI's executive director, demonstrated the CFI methods of installation including, seam construction, pattern matching, powerstretching, stair upholstery and other techniques.

“The installers had the opportunity to display their skills working with various types of carpet to align patterns and understanding how to work with pattern tolerances; construct seams, powerstretch and trim the installed carpet in the modules," said Varden. "This group exhibited pride in their completed work and were anxious to achieve their CFI Certification. It is very rewarding to work with installers who share our appreciation of the skills required for this trade.”

Leigh Bakhtiari of Carpet One Floor and Home, received CFI technical certification. CFI technical certification is available for dealers, sales personnel and others who are not part of the installation community. Those who receive this certification must attend the entire event and complete the written portion of the test. This provides a better understanding of the requirements of professional installation and also opens lines of communication with the installers and the customers.

Bakhtiari has been involved in the floor covering industry since 1993 when she started City Carpets in San Rafael, Calif., with her husband Hossein. In 1998 she received a C-15 flooring license from the contractor’s state license board. She is the current and past president of the Redwood Empire Floor Covering Association and has served on advisory councils to Stainmaster and Gulistan Carpet Mills. She is a certified floor covering executive through the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), regional network coordinator with Carpet One and recently became a certified floor covering installer tech.

“Even the most experienced installer learned a few new tricks from Robert and Jonathan Varden of CFI," said Bakhtiari. "I am grateful to Carpet One for extending this training to our members and to CFI for a first-rate certification course. It is worth the time and expense of having an installer off the floor for the days of training and certification.”

For more information, visit CFIinstallers.com.