The Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) and Building Talent Foundation (BTF) recently partnered to expand awareness of floor covering trade careers and promote scholarships and training opportunities available. 

BTF is a non-profit, for-impact organization, established by 20 leading homebuilding companies, and committed to building a sustainable residential construction workforce. Flooring installation is a part of every residential construction project and offers creative and fulfilling work; however, flooring is often forgotten when people talk about trade careers. 

FCEF’s initiatives help to recruit, scholarship, and place tomorrow’s flooring craftsmen. Recently, FCEF, in partnership with the International Certified Flooring Installers Association, the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, and the National Wood Flooring Association, has created the Basic Floor Covering Installation program for the Technical College system and just received accreditation for the program. A high school program to be embedded within a four-year construction program is also in development.

“BTF has similar goals to FCEF,” shared Jim Aaron, executive director of FCEF. “We’re both working towards these goals in different ways, so collaboration will help us both reach a wider audience and achieve stronger impact.”

FCEF will promote training with their approved training providers, and scholarship opportunities on BTF’s residential construction career website—JobsToBuild. The two organizations will jointly launch a flooring career informational page, where young people and career changers can learn more about opportunities in this sector. In addition, FCEF will offer BTF’s job board as a tool to both flooring craftspeople looking for career opportunities and employers looking for talent. In turn, BTF will provide career coaching and job placement assistance to FCEF graduates and scholarship recipients who register on JobsToBuild.

“A big part of our mission is to help connect flooring craftsmen with job opportunities, and BTF helps us streamline that process. We know that retailers and installation companies are looking for qualified installers,” shared Aaron. “BTF’s platform will help us connect employers with those looking for work in the construction industry. We invite interested hiring managers to post their job openings and invite qualified job seekers to apply. The more employers we can get registered to show the wealth of jobs available, the more powerful our recruiting tools are.”

“Building Talent Foundation is committed to helping individuals secure fulfilling careers in residential construction,” said Branka Minic, CEO of BTF. “We’re excited to partner with FCEF and raise awareness among young people and career changers about the rewarding employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in this segment of the homebuilding industry.”

For more information, visit buildingtf.org and fcef.org.