FCEF logo

What is the FCEF

The Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF), a 501c3 nonprofit, was founded in January 2020 to tackle a major challenge identified by a Blackstone Group report: a severe shortage of qualified flooring installers. The report quantified a national installation crisis, projecting a loss of 4,000-6,000 installers annually for the next decade. To combat this, FCEF was established by leading manufacturers and trade associations to attract a new generation to the industry and ensure its future.

The Basic Floor Covering Installation Program

The FCEF, in partnership with industry training and education partners, created a ten-week Basic Floor Covering Installation program through the Technical College System of Georgia to provide hands-on training and basic skill development to prepare students for a career in flooring installation. The program, which launched at Georgia Northwestern Technical College in January 2020, is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

From Vision to Reality: Program Implementation

As of January, 2023, the Whitfield Murray Campus of Georgia Northwestern Technical College in Dalton, GA, and Atlanta Technical College in Atlanta, GA, were both offering the Basic Floor Covering Installation program. The program is expanding to include Piedmont College in Atlanta, GA, as well as Hawkeye Community College in Cedar Falls, IA, Long Beach Community College in Long Beach, CA, North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene, ID, and Ivy Tech in Indianapolis, IN. The FECF’s goal is to expand to more than 200 technical colleges nationwide over the next five years.

Resources

For more information about the installation training classes, view the storyline video below that features an actual class at Georgia Northwestern Technical College. This video is a good demonstration of the Basic Floor Covering Installation program, which teaches students the basics of surface preparation, resilient, carpet, hardwood, and tile installation.

The Journey to Becoming a Flooring Installer

Story line video of the 10-week training program at the Georgia Northwestern Technical College.

Installer Video

What Real Craftsmen say….Life as a flooring craftsman is a blend of artistry and physically demanding work.

Student Video

William Rivera

Student Video

Kendall Keitt