The Benefits of Taking an Apprentice

Increasing apprenticeships in floorlaying is essential to providing a constant and correctly trained source of skills and labour into the sector. Apprenticeships are a key focus in helping to battle skills shortgaes from an ageing workforce and employing an apprentice can be linked directly to improving the productivity of a business.

With this in mind, the CFA is constantly working with flooring sector representatives to maintain, develop and agree apprenticeship standards and frameworks which meet the requirements of the sector and offer an attractive career path to both young people and people looking to change careers, while at the same time making sure that Government funding mechanisms are improved to engage more employers in creating apprenticeship vacancies.

Not only do apprentices address skills shortages, but you will be getting a keen, motivated member of staff that wants to learn and help your business to grow. According to Government statistics companies who employ apprentices win more business. The Government website cites that 92% of companies that have taken on apprentices believe this leads to a more motivated and satisfied workforce, while 86% said apprentices helped them develop skills relevant to their organisation and 80% have seen a significant increase in employee retention.

Build UK has published information on Degree Apprenticeships in Construction to help potential new entrants who may be interested in joining the industry via this route.

Visit the CFA Training Guide for more information about contract flooring industry training opportunities in the UK.

FITA Starts New Apprenticeship Cohort

With the support of WEBS Training Ltd, a leading training provider based in Nottingham, the Flooring Industry Training Association (FITA) offers gold standard apprenticeship delivery for prospective employers and are the only not-for-profit training centre backed and co-founded by two trade associations – the Contract Flooring Association (CFA) and the National Institute of Carpet & Floorlayers (NICF).

Apprentices work on developing new skills knowledge and behaviours with the support of their employers and spend up to 50 days learning at FITA over the course of their programme alongside working with their employer to build the necessary attributes a floorlayer needs to complete an apprenticeship.

The most recent FITA apprenticeship cohort began in March 2025. Visit www.fita.co.uk/Flooring-Apprenticeships/ to find out how an apprenticeship could support you and get involved.