Editor: Hello Tim, why don’t you start by telling us how you came to work at F. Ball?
Tim Green: I joined the team back in November last year, but I’ve been in the industry for over 20 years.
After finishing school, I wanted to do something practical and put my hands to good use, so I went for a floorlaying apprenticeship. After three years, I continued to build my skills and expertise, working for a few different contractors.
As the years progressed, I went on to teach the trade in a Further Education (FE) college and completed a teaching degree at the University of Huddersfield.
More recently, I worked for a floorcovering manufacturer and headed up training there, for about six years. I was also involved in new product development, site support and worked with the team producing product literature, installation videos and technical manuals.
I’ve always used F. Ball products throughout my career, so when this role came up, I went for it.
Ed: What sort of things do you get up to in your day-to-day role?
TG: As head of training, I have oversight of all of our training provisions facilitated by the F. Ball Centre of Excellence.
We also work with a number of colleges and private training providers, so I’m also out in the field, helping to develop future talent.
It’s also my role to keep training fresh to meet the needs of the industry, so, for example, we’ve recently developed a new apprenticeship course and an LVT course – both of which have had great feedback from attendees. We’re in the final stages of preparations for a three-day sheet vinyl course as well, so that’s keeping us busy at the moment.
Ed: What’s a typical training course like? Who comes along?
TG: We say, ‘every day is a school day’, but it’s not like school at all, that’s for sure! The courses are very hands-on and vary depending on the focus, but cover everything from subfloor identification and preparation, moisture management, and adhesive selection. Of course, we also show delegates how to correctly install the various types of floorcoverings, often with the floorcovering manufacturers training support.
Attendees get a lot out of it – it really is invaluable, whether you’re starting your career or refreshing your knowledge and skills. The courses are free and everyone gets some top-quality freebies at the end of it.
We see a lot of contractors, but also retailers and wholesalers looking to develop their teams. I’d say around half of our attendees have never been on a training course, and when they visit us, they quickly realise there’s a lot more to flooring installation than they thought. They enjoy the interaction, and we find they’re enthusiastic and really want to learn and get the most they can from it, which is great for us to work with.
The courses can be booked online, or you can make an expression of interest and then the team gets in touch to discuss your needs. A handy tip for our F-Talk readers: if you keep an eye on our social media channels, we sometimes have late space availability for courses, so you can book on if it’s convenient.
Ed: What do you enjoy most about your job?
TG: The people. It’s a cracking trade, with a lot of good people, who come from all over the country to our training centre in Staffordshire. Getting to hear what’s happening in the trade in local areas is a bonus for me.
And the variation – I think there’s a perception that it’s an easy job; we turn up and fit a carpet or lay some tiles. But as we all know, there’s a lot more to it than that.
Ed: We know you’ve always been a big fan of F. Ball products. Which is your favourite?
TG: That’s easy: Styccobond F49. There’s really nothing else like it available. It’s versatile, has a super bond strength and is very fitter-friendly.
Ed: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
TG: Two things; I wanted to be a chef, as that’s what my two brothers were doing, but then I realised it came with unsociable hours and isn’t the best paid job.
Believe it or not, I wanted to be a prison warden, too. Crime has always fascinated me, and I enjoy watching programmes and films about it – anything with a prison in!
Ed: And what do you get up to in your spare time?
TG: I’ve a season ticket for my team, Burnley FC. Also, my two Labradors, Otis and Fletcher, as well as our new addition, Coco, a rescue Springer/Staffy, take up a lot of my time. Other than that, I’m also a fan of eating out at nice restaurants.