F. Ball Floorsight™ Fitter Apprenticeship Programme
F. Ball and Co. Ltd. has partnered with the Flooring Industry Training Association (FITA) and WEBS Training to launch its own apprenticeship programme, called ‘Floorsight™’, to provide career pathways in flooring aimed at ensuring the future of the industry.
The scheme also has the support of the Contract Flooring Association (CFA).
About the F. Ball Floorsight™ Fitter Apprenticeship Programme
We are proud to introduce the F. Ball Floorsight™ Fitter Apprenticeship Programme, founded in part to tackle the persistent skills gap in the contract flooring industry and encourage younger people to the flooring industry as an alternative career path.
F. Ball managing director Darren Kenyon explains: “Flooring contractors face a shortage of skilled workers as fewer people are entering the trade than are leaving, threatening the ability to deliver on projects and hampering growth. The only way to counter this is by creating more opportunities in flooring and communicating the benefits of a career in the industry. It is in the interests of manufacturers to work together with the rest of the industry to achieve this. This is what Floorsight™ is about.”
The first cohort in September 2025 will see 10 young people join the programme where they will be placed at partnering flooring contractors.
How will the F. Ball Fitter Apprentice Programme support the Contractor and Apprentice
We will support the contractor to:
o Recruit the right apprentice for your business,
o Access Government funding,
o Complete any paperwork,
o Conduct risk assessments,
o Provide ongoing support and advice around mentoring young people.
We will support the apprentice by:
o Providing a laptop,
o Provision of a starter tool kit,
o Supplying branded workwear,
o Access to health & safety e-learning,
o Apprenticeship networking with other apprentices,
o Regular practical training courses at the F. Ball Centre of Excellence,
o Additional training at external training providers, as required.
What to expect on the Apprentice Programme.
In addition to on the job learning, apprentices will benefit from blocks of specialist training delivered at the F. Ball Centre of Excellence by experts from the company’s Training and Technical Service Departments, supported by floorcovering manufacturers and FITA, with F. Ball also providing additional resources, including tools, workwear and the use of a laptop for apprentices for the duration of the two year course