Developed by the industry for the industry

The Floor Laying Apprenticeship The first nationwide Apprenticeship programme for the carpet fitting and floor laying industry.

In the future, retailers and contractors will want their employees or sub-contractors to have recognised training in the specialised area of carpet fitting and floor laying. Our Government approved nationwide Apprenticeship programme has been developed by the industry for the industry

Why take on an Apprentice? Apprentices work towards an industry recognised qualification that your prospective customers can use in their decision making process when choosing who to fit their carpets or lay their floors they add value to your business. Apprentices get a mix of on-the-job and offsite training, so they gain work-based experience and develop specific skills. They undergo phase tests at one of our Technical Centres and regularly fit out practice rooms demonstrating their skills with different materials and techniques. Apprentices give your business the competitive advantage to meet future demands and ensure you have the right skills available to you at the right time to meet the needs of your customers.

Apprentices can be cost effective by employing someone with a Floor Laying Apprenticeship you will be getting someone who is fully qualified and specifically trained to fit carpets and/or lay floors. Apprentices demonstrate your business's social responsibility and community engagement. Many large employers and government led contracts will now stipulate that potential sub-contractors employ local people on recognised training programmes when submitting tenders. Apprentices learn the specific skills that apply to your own business, whether that be textile, impervious and/or wood it is a tailor-made qualification to suit you and your business needs.

Image courtesy of F Ball and Co. Ltd.

Training and qualifications Our fully qualified training team have vast “real world” experience in the flooring industry, and we call upon this knowledge to ensure that everything we deliver is engaging and relevant. Our programme starts on a number of different dates throughout the year. Apprentices are given between 14 and 16 months to complete the qualification, depending on their age, previous experience and motivation.

Having someone with a recognised qualification in Floor Laying on your team will you give you a competitive advantage over those businesses that haven't and could make you the preferred choice for all your current and future customers’ carpet fitting and floor laying needs.

Taking on an Apprentice All you need to do is indicate that you are keen to offer someone an Apprenticeship and we will do the rest. You may even want to take the qualification yourself, or already have someone on your team that you would like to do the trade specific Floor Laying Apprenticeship. We advertise, interview and recruit motivated young people on your behalf. You can even take a learner on a two-week trial basis to ensure you are 100% happy with them before they start. We'll organise all the paperwork and funding opportunities available, as well as any grants that you may be entitled to as an employer. We'll produce the Learning Agreements (contracts between you, the Apprentice and us) and the Training Plans. We'll deliver the centre-based training, assessment observations and reviews. We'll provide a designated Training Coordinator who is on hand to support and advise both you and the apprentice throughout the qualification process.

Image courtesy of Interfloor Limited

Image courtesy of Matthew Bourne

There really is no better time to take on an Apprentice… Grants and free training* make the employment of an Apprentice the most effective option all round. Funding for the programme in England is available via the Skills Funding Agency with a requirement that Apprentices are working a minimum of 16 hours a week. If you are based in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland we'd be happy to discuss your Apprenticeship options with you. Grants are available and can heavily contribute towards the training wage of your Apprentice**. We will help you to obtain your grant, assist with any paperwork and ensure you are supported every step of the way. * Based on the payment of an Apprenticeship allowance applicable to a 16-18 year old. ** Eligibility criteria applies. *** For those travelling to one of our Technical Centres from outside of the area, subsidised accommodation is available.

Our programme is referred to as a quality credit framework and consists of a number of key elements. On completion Floor Laying Apprentices receive the following qualifications: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Floorcovering Occupations Level 2 Technical Certificate in Floorcovering Level 1 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number Employment Rights and Responsibilities CSCS Health and Safety card - an essential requirement for all site work Apprentices attend one of our Technical Centres in block sessions (one week every 8 weeks***), and are visited by a qualified, designated assessor every month whilst they are working with you on-site. The assessor will build a portfolio that recognises the Apprentice's achievements which ultimately leads to the successful completion of the qualification. Apprentices take the following mandatory units: QCF641 Conforming to General Health, Safety and Welfare in the Workplace QCF642 Conforming to Productive Working Practices in the Workplace QCF643 Moving, Handling and Storing Resources in the Workplace QCF302 Setting Out for Laying Floorcovering in the Workplace QCF303 Preparing Surfaces to Receive Floorcoverings in the Workplace QCFCO3 Developing Customer Relationships in a Floorcovering Working Environment Then one of the following optional units; you can ensure your Apprentice takes the unit that best suits your own business needs: QCF304 Installing Textile Floorcoverings in the Workplace QCF305 Installing Impervious Floorcoverings in the Workplace QCF306 Installing Wood Floorcoverings in the Workplace

Contact us For impartial advice or to find out more about taking on an Apprentice, please speak to a member of our dedicated Apprentice Support Team on 01480 471476 or email [email protected] For the latest information on Apprenticeships, and other Flooring Guild programmes, visit www.flooring-guild.co.uk The Flooring Guild was founded in 1999 by a group of like minded individuals who wished to raise standards in the flooring and floorcoverings industry through educational programmes. Working with highly respected manufacturers we have created training programmes for the industry and delivered them to independent retailers, multiples, marketing groups, contractors, wholesalers and manufacturers. We are a not for profit organisation which means that all surplus income and sponsorship is returned to our members in terms of training support. In keeping with our commitment to support the industry the Floor Laying Apprenticeship has been introduced to underpin and deliver the skills and standards of the next generation of carpet fitters and floor layers. We are justifiably proud of our motto “Progress through Education” The Flooring Guild is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No. 3803478 at 36 Meadowsweet, Eaton Ford, St. Neots, Cambs. PE19 7GR

FLOOR LAYING APPRENTICESHIP To: The Flooring Guild 36 Meadowsweet Eaton Ford St. Neots Cambridegshire PE19 7GR

The first nationwide Apprenticeship programme for the carpet fitting and floor laying industry. Developed by the industry for the industry

Enquiry form I recognise that employing an Apprentice on the first nationwide Floor Laying Apprenticeship programme will benefit my business. I am an Employer I would like to take on

a Retailer

a Sub-contractor

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Apprentice(s)

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member(s) of my team for the Apprenticeship

I would like to take the Apprenticeship myself I would like to find out more about sponsoring the Apprenticeship programme Company name: ................................................................................................................................................................................... My name:

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Thank you for completing this form, Please post it back to the address above or, for impartial advice or to find out more about taking on an Apprentice, please speak to a member of our dedicated Apprentice Support Team on 01480 471476 If you prefer email, you can reach us at [email protected]

“Progress through education” The Flooring Guild 36 Meadowsweet, Eaton Ford, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 7GR The Flooring Guild is a company limited by guarantee.

T: 01480 471476 E: [email protected] W: www.flooring-guild.co.uk Registered in England No. 3803478 at the above address.