Floorcovering Installer

For more information about this trade, contact the training co-ordinator.

What does a Floorcovering Installer do?

A floorcovering installer is someone who:

• Assesses job site and floor conditioning, and requirements
• Identifies and verifies floorcovering material, adhesives and accessories
• Plans installations, sequences work operations, and performs pre-installation layout operations
• Removes existing floorcovering and prepares floors for covering
• Installs, replaces and repairs carpet, resilient flooring, wood flooring and associated trim on floors, stairs and walls
  

What skills/abilities are required?

A floorcovering installer requires the following:

• To be able to work with their hands and tools, while crouching and kneeling for long periods
• Good mathematical skills
• Good estimation skills
• Evaluation skills to select materials, plan sequences and methods of work

How long is the apprenticeship program?

The apprenticeship for a floorcovering installer is three years consisting of three levels. Practical and technical training is a minimum of 1400 hours per level. About 80 per cent of the time is spent learning practical on-the-job skills under the supervision of a certified journeyperson and 20 per cent consists of learning the theoretical and technical aspects of the trade through in-school training at SAIT-Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary. To cover costs of attending technical training out of province funding benefits such as employment insurance, mileage expenses and living allowances are available.

What is the supervision ratio?

As experience comprises the bulk of apprenticeship training, it is essential that each apprentice has on-site access to a skilled journeyperson and receives the attention and guidance necessary to perform the tasks of the trade safely and efficiently.

For every apprentice working in this trade, the employer is required to maintain a 1:1 ratio of apprentices to journeypersons on-site and must ensure that the apprentice is directly supervised by a certified journeyperson in the trade.

What are the entrance requirements?

High School Apprenticeship Program (HSAP): Begin your apprenticeship practical training in highschool. A minimum age of 16 years in required.

General Admission: A high school diploma or equivalent is required, including recommended courses in Math. If you do not hold a high school diploma, you can qualify as an Access Program Trainee (formerly Mature Student). Prior Learning Recognition and Assessment may be required.

Trades Qualification: If you are experienced in the trade, but do not hold a Certificate of Qualification, you may become a certified journeyperson based on years of proven industry experience and successful completion of the Red Seal Examination. A Trades Qualification Application and trade specific work experience form must be submitted. Trades professionals whose entrance readiness is less than that required, must take appropriate upgrading.

For additional details on entrance requirements and how to begin your apprenticeship or obtain certification, see section on "How to Start".

Do I get a certificate?

When you successfully complete all your required levels of practical experience and technical training, you write an interprovincial examination. You must score at least 70 per cent or better to qualify for a “Red Seal” endorsed interprovincial certificate confirming your status as a certified journeyperson.

Your “Red Seal” endorsed Certificate of Qualification as a journeyperson floorcovering installer is recognized throughout Canada.

What salary can I expect as an apprentice?

Regulations under the Apprenticeship and Certification Act establish minimum wage rates for apprentices. Every employer who enters into an apprenticeship agreement with an apprentice must ensure that the apprentice is paid at least the minimum wage rate for that trade.

Apprentices who work for unionized employers are entitled to the wage rate in the collective agreement if it exceeds the pay rates specified in the trade regulation.

Employers may also provide other benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care and training benefits.

Current wage details are available by downloading the training wage schedule.

What are the career prospects?

Floorcovering installers are employed by floorcovering retail outlets, contractors and installation companies.

Experienced floorcovering installers may advance to supervisory positions, move into sales or customer relations, or contract out their business. Some set up their own retail business.

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