FITA is an independent, not-for-profit organisation, providing specialist training for the floorcovering industry. Co-founded by the Contract Flooring Association and the National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers, FITA has two specialist training centres at Loughborough and Kirkcaldy, equipped to deliver over 20 different flooring courses including carpet, LVT, sheet vinyl, wood, linoleum and subfloor preparation.
“The increase in additional entry level courses being delivered at FITA, in comparison to previous years, has to be encouraging,” says the organisation. “Most of the installers that walk through the door are so engaged and eager to soak up all the skills and knowledge available, it makes the teaching process easy, that in turn improves the delivery and the cycle continues and feedback from the FITA Training Consultants reflect this. It’s a big step to engage with private training; financing the training isn’t just the cost of the course, there are the surrounding costs and the loss of earnings to consider too. What delegates take away from courses has to provide an instant impact to their working life and begin to not only repay the costs but provide the confidence to put all that was taught into practice.”
FITA courses are designed based on constant feedback from delegates and training consultants. An example of this, the organisation says, is that entry level courses are set up to allow plenty of time to learn and not to rush the delegates. In some cases, this could be the first time a delegate has tried particular skills and the time within a controlled environment where mistakes can be made and learnt from is said to be key.
The LVT Installation – Basic course constitutes three days of hands-on activity, starting with subfloor preparation including fabricated underlayments and smoothing compounds. Then the delegates cover the ins and outs of straight lay fitting in a range of LVT types and, most importantly, fitting confidently based on skill alone and essential tools only, as that will always be the best point to build from. This course is designed to provide the base for a confident approach to installations without relying on undercutting architraves and skirting boards or having to fill gaps between flooring and obstacles.
The Commercial Sheet Vinyl Installation 4-day course is an introduction into commercial fitting, teaching key methods in back marking, scribing, coving and joining that can be transferred from the small training bays to large commercial areas with ease, designed to make installers even higher value to contractors.
The Laminate and Floating Wood Installation – Basic 2-day course is described as essential for those new to laminate and floating wood floor as well as those wanting to adopt best practice. The course helps delegates gain knowledge and skills to be able to work efficiently, increasing additional skill sets and profitability on jobs.
www.fita.co.uk
info@fita.co.uk
0115 950 6836
