Paula Resa, assistant director, Southwest Mountain States Carpenters, and Sandra Rodriguez, director, Sisters in the Brotherhood (SIB), have very different points of entry to the skilled trades, but their stories align in that they are women who have overcome hardships to find a career path within the trade unions they represent. Here, they talk more in depth on the many ways the Sisters in the Brotherhood program offers support to current and future tradeswomen.

While homeowners hit pause on 7% mortgages, the flooring industry hit fast-forward at TISE 2025. From AI innovations to major tech mergers, industry leaders revealed how they're using this market lull to revolutionize the business – all while doubling down on diversity with a repeat $50,000 investment in women's leadership.

The first-ever women-only Certified Tile Installer test takes place in Florida, coinciding with International Women's Day. Daltile supported the groundbreaking event to increase female representation in the tile industry, with over a dozen participants from across the country demonstrated expertise and advancing career development.

The Certified Flooring Installers (CFI) welcomed trainers from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) to their Dalton, Georgia, headquarters for a three-day train-the-trainer event on February 25-27. Participants focused on mastering hand-sewing techniques for custom stair carpet installation and repairs.

Supporting flooring installers, suppliers and retailers, FloorWiz by Onfigr is a floor visualizer dedicated to helping epoxy flooring brands drive more sales.  

From Alabama to Montana, flooring dealers reveal how the Floor Covering Education Foundation's training initiative is solving their installer shortage crisis.

Roberts Dual Air Glider comes with a 1.75HP, 120V blower motor and has the capacity to lift up to 800 lbs. The glider is simple to use and virtually eliminates the risk of back injury.

Michigan's first dedicated flooring installation training center opens, offering career paths for high school students with hands-on training, job placement assistance and financial aid options.

James Pope, a graduate of the basic flooring installation program implemented by the Floor Covering Education Foundation and its education and training partners, attended Great Falls College in Montana where he completed the 10-week course. Here, he shares his experience in the program, the support he received along the way and his thoughts on his generation’s perception of the trades.