MANY years ago, when I was in contracting, I was invited by Kährs to attend a presentation at a local pub on repairing engineered floors. Removing and changing boards was to be demonstrated, as well as changing individual staves.
Free refreshments were offered, and it was timed for early evening. I asked our floorlayers if they wanted to attend. To my complete amazement, none of them wanted to go. I spoke to our foreman, pointing out the value of attending. His reply: ‘Nah! There’s nothing they can teach me!’ Our manager and I attended the seminar, and it was, of course, extremely useful and we learnt a lot.
I was shocked by our floorlayers’ attitude. I have always subscribed to the view that you can always learn, no matter how much knowledge you think you have.
I went to inspect a site a few years ago, where the client was complaining about a carpet tile installation. I pulled up some tiles, and was about to comment on the lack of tackifier, when someone referred to ‘the magnetic tiles’ and I realised the tiles were, in fact, magnetic: Something, at that time, I had never met.
When the CFA introduced the present Code of Conduct for its consultant members, this included an ongoing CPD which involved attending courses at FITA as well as at selected manufacturers.
In order to comply with the requirements, I went to a subfloor preparation course at the FITA training centre in Loughborough. I was very pleased to attend. I am always ready to learn and, as mentioned, my experience is, that you always learn something on these occasions.
The course instructor was Steve Ramsden, who was also the author of the course. Although I have known Steve for many years, this in the first time I had witnessed him in action. I was so very impressed by his professionalism as an instructor.
Firstly, as an ex-floorlayer, he spoke to the
floorlayers in their language (I leave you to ponder that one!).
Secondly, he made the subject interesting by introducing amusement and light-hearted anecdotes. Even the Health & Safety section, dry, if not actually boring, he managed to lighten up, with instruction as to what to do if he were to lay twitching on the floor!
The course covered all aspects of subfloor preparation, including methods of testing for dampness, although Steve stressed the floorlayers might never do this, it being the task of others. Steve exhibited samples of various possible subfloors, including magnesite, of which few of them had ever heard.
The various methods of preparing the
different subfloors were then fully explained. I was impressed by the up-to-date information about one- or two-coat dpm’s, fibre-enritched screeds as well as describing the latest tools for mixing and spreading.
These were further explained at the afternoon session, during which the course delegates were invited to prepare a subfloor with ply underlay. This involved trimming the ply around skirtings and architraves. All the delegates made a good attempt, some, obviously, quicker or more accurately than others.
There was no free bay for me to attempt this test, or you can be assured I would have been delighted to try!
The delegates were not only expected to complete this practical test to Steve’s satisfaction. They also had to sit a written test, consisting of multiple choice questions on the technical side of the day. The test is not excessively difficult, but it will demonstrate that the floorlayer understands the basic principles of his craft.
I considered this a day well spent and I shall welcome the opportunity to attend FITA courses in the future. It occurs to me that many people in our industry would benefit from a day or two at the Loughborough centre, whether floorlayer, supervisor or estimator. I think it is a good investment of time and course fee. Worth a thought?

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