Floorsight™ apprentice profile: Ben Harris
In this new series for F-Talk, we get to know the young people set to be the future of flooring.
Earlier this year, F. Ball launched Floorsight™ fitter apprenticeship programme, in partnership with the Flooring Industry Training Association (FITA) and WEBS training. Established to create careers pathways in flooring, the initiative involves training at the F. Ball Centre of Excellence, with the first cohort enrolling in September.
In this issue, we speak to Ben Harris (20) of T & S Carpets and Flooring in Burton.
Editor: The apprentices enrolled on Floorsight™ have varying levels of experience, with some completely new to the industry and others having worked in the trade for a year or more. Can you tell us how long you’ve been in flooring and what you’ve been doing so far?
Ben: I’ve been on the job for about six weeks now, since starting the Floorsight™ programme. The team at T & S Carpets and Flooring has been great at getting me involved. I’ve spent time on site fitting both Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVTs) in a couple of kitchens and doing some carpet installations.
Editor: What attracted you to a career in flooring?
Ben: Since leaving school, I always knew I wanted a hands-on trade. The thought of sitting in an office all day never appealed to me. Flooring is not one you hear too much about. That intrigued me. I wanted something consistent. I tried bricklaying, but it’s very weather dependent. You can go for days not doing anything, and it was pretty boring.
Editor: What do you see as the benefits of a flooring apprenticeship?
Ben: For me, the key benefit is that I’m earning while I’m learning, and I’m avoiding huge student debt. I have a brother and a cousin who both went to university, and they’re just paying off student loans. All my friends are going down the apprenticeship route – it seems like the way to go.
Editor: What aspects of the apprenticeship and your day-to-day work do you enjoy the most?
Ben: I really enjoy the technical training side of the course. It’s set up incredibly well, and the fact that we’re provided with all the necessary tools and equipment is a massive help. The work itself is brilliant. I was recently on a big commercial job in Solihull, where I got to grips with subfloor preparation, including a good amount of screeding. The lads I work with use all F. Ball products, so there’s great consistency between the classroom and the site.
Every day is different. I love being out and about in different places; we could be fitting a luxury floor in a domestic home one day and a carpet in an office block the next. The constant variety, the chance to travel, and the challenge of a new environment every time keeps things interesting.
Editor: Finally, what you get up to when you’re not preparing subfloors or installing LVTs?
Ben: I like playing football and going to the gym. I also enjoy socialising with mates.