Flooring Open Event a hit with employers and students

On 24 February we hosted a Flooring Open Event at our Advanced Construction Skills Centre to gauge interest for brand-new flooring provision for both employers and potential learners.

The event was organised with local employers and manufacturers, and specifically with Jim Heal from Rudge Brothers and James, who is keen to work with us to provide flooring apprenticeships to learners in Bristol and the surrounding area.

There are currently no apprenticeships of this type in the local area and the event offered an opportunity for interested learners to find out more about the potential training to be offered and to gather a group of like-minded employers together to discuss the next step forward.

At a round table discussion, employers including RBF Flooring, Puma Flooring, Quadrant, Urban Flooring, Gallop and many others expressed their support for the apprenticeship. The discussion included how employers would work with us to ensure that the training met their needs and how they could help shape the curriculum.

One employer said: “We felt that there is the demand from young people for a flooring apprenticeship but it is not offered in the area. Apprentices would benefit from two to three years of training with consistency in quality training.”

Employers want learners to begin their studies on a Level 2 NVQ qualification before progressing through the levels and gaining a blue CSCS card.

Talks also focused on our brand-new Advanced Construction Skills Centre, which employers were keen to utilise in college holidays to provide one- to two-week short courses to help find opportunities for adults and to upskill their workforces.

The event was a huge success, with demonstrations on flooring best practices taking place and employers readily available to speak to learners interested in pursuing a career in the industry. Manufacturers demonstrated the latest materials and equipment, and are keen that we ensure learners are taught using the newest materials in the sector. Manufacturers in attendance included Ardex and Bostik.

The next step will be for us to consider the demand and how the discussions can be taken forward.

If you were unable to attend the event and you are interested in studying flooring, you can join us at our next Open Event on Wednesday 30 March from 4.30-7.30pm.

If you are a flooring employer and are keen to register your interest in training or taking on a flooring apprentice, please contact our Business Development Team on 0117 312 5250.