WHAT: A Graduation for the first cohort of Floormasters apprentices, where they will receive an industry recognized certificate in flooring installation from Armstrong Floors and carpet installation from Floormasters, Inc. The graduates will have an opportunity to interview as installer helpers with Floormasters, with the opportunity to advance to installer.
WHO: 12 apprentice students of Floormasters
WHEN: Monday, February 2 at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: San Joaquin County Office of Education (Wentworth Educational Center • 2707 Transworld Drive, Stockton, CA 95206)
BACKGROUND: Floormasters, Inc. launched a new training program for job seekers throughout Northern California in partnership with San Joaquin County Office of Education, Human Services Agency, Housing Authority of San Joaquin, Habitat for Humanity of San Joaquin, California Human Development, San Joaquin County WorkNet, Visionary Homebuilders, and YouthBuild San Joaquin.
The first training session consisted of three weeks of apprentice-level training for installing both hard-surface flooring and carpet. During the first and second weeks, students used mockups to prepare and install sheet vinyl for bathrooms and install carpet. Trainees helped install carpet and vinyl at the Grant Village Apartment Complex.
Qualified participants will be eligible for full-time installer helper positions with the Floormasters team in Hayward, Peninsula, North Bay, Tri-County, East Bay, San Francisco, Greater Sacramento as well as Napa, Yolo, El Dorado, San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. The training program was led by Floormasters at no cost to participants or the partner organizations. All materials were donated by Floormasters’ partners, including Armstrong, Bigelow, De Soto Diamond W, Engineered Floors, Gallaher, Leggett and Platt, Mannington, Mohawk, Osborne Lumber and Patcraft.
DETAILS ABOUT THE FLOORMASTERS INSTALLER TRAINING PROGRAM:
The Floormasters Installer Training Program will consist of classroom instruction for two weeks followed by
hands-on training the third week. Participants will work on installations at five units for an affordable housing non-profit organization, Visionary Home Builders. Training will focus on core competencies and best practices for flooring installation, including:
Apprentice-level hard surface installation training for vinyl and VTC tile:
- Material handling
- Proper lifting techniques
- Demolition of existing floor coverings
- Surface preparation
- Underlayment installation
- Measuring
- Flooring materials layout
- Cutting
- Adhesive application
- Installation
- Sundries application – cove base, cove base adhesives and terminations (transitions, moldings and metals)
Apprentice-level carpet installation training:
- Material handling
- Proper lifting techniques
- Surface preparation
- Measuring
- Carpet seam layout
- Cutting
- Seaming
- Stretching
- Cove base installation
- Wood base removal and replacement
- Terminations (metals)
QUOTES FROM PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS:
“The Housing Authority appreciates the opportunity to partner with Floormasters to promote job opportunities and self-sufficiency in the local community,” said Alan Richard Coon, General Counsel & Media Contact for the Housing Authority of the County of San Joaquin. “Promoting self-sufficiency opportunity opportunities is also consistent with the Housing Authority's mission to provide affordable housing.”
“Training programs are an important part of the services that San Joaquin County offers,” said Chris Kleinert, director Director at San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE). “We are excited about the opportunities that this program will open up to local job seekers. The Floormasters program not only provides job seekers with an opportunity to learn a trade, but also gives them a chance to secure a full-time job at the end of the training with a competitive salary and fully paid healthcare.”
“The Floormasters training program is a great example of how public-private partnerships create exponential value,” said John Solis, Executive director Director at San Joaquin County WorkNet. “Everyone wins. The County adds a high-quality course to its education offerings; job seekers have an opportunity to learn a trade and secure a job; and the corporate partners gain access to a new pool of skilled labor.”
“Community involvement has always been a priority for Floormasters,” said Don Lau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Floormasters, Inc. “In addition to working with a number of organizations to support affordable housing programs, we are committed to providing opportunities for local job seekers. This training program gives us an opportunity to reach a wider group and helps them learn a trade in a space that is understaffed and develop skills that will allow them to earn a good salary.”
ABOUT THE VARIOUS PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS:
About the San Joaquin County Office of Education:
San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) provides educational leadership, resources, and services to support schools throughout the county. With its highly regarded programs, innovative staff, and community partnerships, SJCOE ensures that every student in San Joaquin County has the opportunity of a quality education. For more information, visit www.sjcoe.org.
About San Joaquin County WorkNet:
San Joaquin County WorkNet Center Services provides job search assistance, supportive services and the necessary tools needed to obtain employment. WorkNet services include Internet access, CalJOBS, job matching, labor market information, training and education information, career counseling, community resources, application and resume writing assistance and fax and telephone access for job search purposes. Staff members are on hand to assist customers with al