After spending 22 years with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Mick O’Flynn has brought his skills and vast experience to the flooring industry, taking up the role of Training Manager at FITA in March this year. In the latest of our interviews with senior industry figures, we get an insight into the wider perception of the flooring industry, compared with the reality, and find out exactly what FITA can do to benefit contractors and floorlayers.
Ed: First of all, what is FITA and what is its remit?
MO: FITA was set up as a joint venture between the Contract Flooring Association (CFA) and the National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers, with a remit to promote and provide training across all aspects of the flooring trade and for all levels of expertise. We have a fully equipped training centre at Loughborough in Leicestershire, where we run all of our standard and bespoke training courses.
Ed: As we know, you joined FITA in March this year, what’s been the most surprising thing that you’ve learned over the past six months?
MO: How much is involved in preparing and laying flooring and how technical it is. To an outsider, it seems a pretty straightforward process, but once you get into it, there’s a lot to learn. The most unexpected thing, again to someone entering the industry, is the importance of checking for and dealing with moisture in subfloors. Once you understand the issue, it’s obvious, but like many people it’s not something I’d come across in great detail beforehand.
Ed: So I expect courses in moisture management and control are something that FITA provides?
MO: Correct. It’s one of a number of standard courses we operate, alongside courses in carpet laying, wood flooring installation, lino, commercial and domestic vinyl flooring, sub-floor preparation and also estimating and pricing. We also deliver NVQ courses, so people can now get an NVQ level 2 qualification in floor laying with FITA.
Ed: Are there any new courses you’ve introduced?
MO: Yes, we’ve recently introduced a course on wet room floor installation in response to the growing number of wet rooms that are being specified, especially in care settings and hospitals, where reduced mobility access is needed.
Ed: And are the courses mainly attended by newcomers to the industry?
MO: No it’s a real mix. Of course we have basic courses designed for young people just entering the profession, but we also offer intermediate and advanced courses for contractors with different levels of experience.
Ed: But can you really reach an old dog new tricks?
MO: I can’t vouch for the canine world, but certainly, with more experienced installers, you can see instantly the moment they realise how they can utilise what they’ve learned to make their job easier or quicker or how to get a better result.
Ed: How many training course do you run a year?
MO: Last year we held 47 courses, attended by 154 installers.
Ed: And what’s been the most pleasing aspect of the job so far?
MO: Apart from seeing how the training we provide really makes a difference for the installers who attend the courses, it’s the help we get from manufacturers, particularly in the form of sponsorship and other support. As a not-for-profit organisation and one that needs to be self-funding, it’s fantastic that the industry is behind us in this way.
Ed: So what’s coming up for FITA next?
MO: Well, The Flooring Show in Harrogate is our immediate focus, where we’ll have 11 people at the show; eight of whom will be running the two FITA demonstration areas, which is always a great attraction for show visitors.
Thanks to Mick for the latest ‘In conversation with’ interview, and we look forward to the next issue, where we’ll have another interview with a leading industry figure.
For more information on FITA, and the courses, training and qualifications it can provide, please visit www.fita.co.uk