Entries Open for the CFA Flooring Apprentice of the Year

Shaun Wadsworth, CFA Training Manager, elaborates on the opening of entries for the 2025 CFA Flooring Apprentice of the Year.

‘The Contact Flooring Association (CFA) has long been dedicated to fostering the future of the floorlaying industry through various initiatives, including specialised publications like our Training Guide, practical courses delivered through our training arm FITA, the Future Fitters campaign and through it, our commitment to expanding apprenticeship opportunities across the UK.

‘A further expression of our commitment, and a way of continually highlighting the opportunities for all that apprenticeships provide, lies the significant and ever-growing Flooring Apprentice of the Year Competition.

‘This competition offers employers and training providers a unique opportunity to celebrate their apprentices’ accomplishments. I’m delighted to announce entries for the 2025 competition are now open via the dedicated portal on our website at www.cfa.org.uk.

‘The CFA takes immense pride in championing this award, which has become a cornerstone of the flooring industry calendar. It highlights the remarkable achievements of apprentices while providing a platform to display the valuable skills they have gained through their training.

‘For participating employers, it’s a chance to demonstrate their commitment to workforce development and investment in the next generation of skilled flooring installers.

‘Each year, we’re motivated by the overwhelming support for this initiative, from the quality of entries submitted to the generous prizes donated. This level of engagement reflects the industry’s collective dedication to encouraging talent and building a highly skilled workforce for the future.

‘Competitions like this shine a spotlight on the industry’s future, underlining the substantial benefits of high-quality training. They also emphasise the critical role apprenticeships play in developing skilled installers. That is why we view the Flooring Apprentice of the Year competition as an essential tool for inspiring the next wave of talent to pursue careers in floorlaying.

Why enter?

‘If you employ a superb apprentice who is adding value to your business, with masses of potential, the right work ethic and attitude, then why not collaborate with them to submit an entry and celebrate their success. It’s also incredibly good for the profile of the business who employs them.

‘It’s rewarding to receive recognition for a job well done, and so if you have someone who is putting 100% efforts into their training and consistently producing excellent results, then this competition is for them and you. If you work within a college or training provider and you have spotted a talented individual, please let the employer know so that you can work together to submit an entry.

How to enter

‘Entries are submitted directly through the CFA website at www.cfa.org.uk from 2nd January–31st March 2025. Entering the competition is easy but relies on the apprentice, their employer and their supporting comments and evidence of projects or activity that show just how good the nominee is. Nothing too complex and there is the option to upload video content, photographs and case studies alongside a series of questions about the apprentice.

Who can enter?

‘Any formal apprentice (or an apprentice who has completed within the last 12 months) can enter. An apprentice can also be put forward by their employer or training provider too.

‘Formal apprenticeship routes include the Floorlayer Apprenticeship Standard (England), the Construction Building Modern Apprenticeship in Floorcovering (Scotland), the Floorcovering L2 Apprenticeship Framework (Wales) and the Level 2 Apprenticeship Framework – Construction Specialist Sector – Floorcovering (Northern Ireland). Just to be clear, the apprentice does not have to work for a CFA member business. This competition is a celebration of our industry.

How is the competition judged?

‘The competition entries are judged by an independent panel made up of a respected group of CFA Council members with a vast wealth of experience in flooring. These judges will review all entries and collectively select a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner to receive prizes for their achievement.

When is the winner announced?

‘The CFA are delighted to announce that this year there will be a live announcement of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizewinners at the InstallerSHOW 2025 exhibition taking place at the NEC, Birmingham from 24th–26th June 2025. This is a fantastic addition to this year’s competition and highlights just how important the competition has become.

What do the winners receive?

‘The competition is backed by superb support from our sponsors. In 2025, the 1st place winner will receive a prize list that last year was valued at over £10,000+, including cash donations, shopping vouchers and thousands of pounds worth of high-quality products, training days, tools and equipment. 2nd and 3rd place apprentices will also receive prizes courtesy of sponsors too.

‘The winning apprentice will also have the honour of attending the CFJ Awards in September 2025, officially receiving recognition for their achievement alongside all other illustrious winners in front of an audience made up of the industry’s top flooring contractors, manufacturers and distributors.

Meet last year’s winner

‘Kyle Maxwell from MacGregor Flooring Company Ltd in Hamilton, Scotland provided a fantastic video case study based on four different sites including a commercial flooring project, a detailed subfloor preparation project, a commercial staircase installation and a domestic LVT herringbone installation all on behalf of his employer covering a wide range of flooring types. His application was backed with great recommendations from both his employer and his tutor, leading the judges to their unanimous decision that Kyle was a more than worthy winner.

‘About winning the competition, Kyle said: “I am over the moon at winning this year’s Flooring Apprentice of the Year competition. Being an apprentice and learning my trade is something I am extremely proud of and I always put 100% into my work to make sure I am the best I can be. I was not expecting to win the award given the number of entrants and the fact that this is a UK wide competition, but it means the world to me that I have. I am excited to build my tool kit up and will enjoy using them all on site. Thanks to all of the sponsors for the prizes – it is very much appreciated.”

‘Laura MacGregor, Finance Director at MacGregor Flooring Ltd said: “We are extremely proud of Kyle and all that he has achieved as an apprentice. We expect great things from him as he qualifies and look forward to seeing him grow into a master craftsman. MacGregor Flooring are extremely proud of our apprentices and the system we have built over many years to train them all to the very highest standard. It is no surprise to us that Kyle has won this competition, and we are confident that we will continue to produce apprentices of award-winning calibre in years to come.”

‘So don’t delay, get your entries in now. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me using the email shaun@cfa.org.uk.’