Flooring apprenticeships divided into two routes improves funding, training quality, and opportunities for wood flooring, says Shaun Wadsworth

OVER a decade ago, the Department for Education (DfE) replaced ‘modern apprenticeships’ with ‘apprenticeship standards’ to give employers more control, focus on skills development, and improve quality. The flooring apprenticeship standard in England was introduced in 2018 as the primary entry route into the industry. It originally offered two pathways: textile and resilient flooring, and wood flooring. However, the funding cap for the overall standard was too low to make wood flooring delivery practical for training providers, resulting in that pathway effectively being abandoned.

But that has now changed, with some great news on the training front. The long-standing Floorlayer Apprenticeship Standard has officially been split into two separate apprenticeship standards: one for Textile and Resilient Floorlayer (ST0504), and one for Wood-Based Floorlayer (ST1498). This change marks a significant step forward for the industry and brings with it clear benefits for installers, employers, and apprentices alike.

A key benefit of the new structure is the introduction of separate funding caps for each pathway. In November 2024 I wrote about the funding cap for the original floorlayer standard being increased from £13,000 to £17,000 and whilst Textile and Resilient Floorlayer Standard will keep that higher funding cap, the Wood-Based Floorlayer Apprenticeship now has a higher funding cap of £20,000, recognising the diverse complexity, materials, tooling, and training time required in wood flooring.

For the wood flooring sector this increase ensures that training providers can once again contemplate delivery of that wood-based route, offer high-quality, in-depth training and ensures employers in the wood floorings sector have better resources to support apprentices. Industry can then be confident learners receive the full scope of practical skills needed for the full range of wood floor installations and also wood sanding and finishing.

This transformation didn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of years of hard work from the Floorlayer Trailblazer group led by the Contract Flooring Association (CFA) and chaired by Alan Gayle (AG Flooring Ltd), in partnership with contractor members, training providers, End-Point Assessment Organisations (EPAO’s), manufacturers, and other stakeholders across the industry.

As part of the apprenticeship review process, the CFA and its members played a critical role in shaping these new standards ensuring they reflect the real-life demands faced by installers on-site. From tool handling to subfloor prep and advanced installation techniques, every detail was examined and improved upon.

This collaborative working group deserves credit for staying the course through countless consultations, reviews, and meetings all with two clear goals, to ensure the next generation of flooring installers are able to be trained to the highest standard and there is adequate Government funding for training providers to deliver that training to the standard required.

What it means for installers
The split of the apprenticeship standard into two clear routes is more than a technical update, it’s a signal of progress for our trade. Whether you specialise in luxury vinyl, carpet tiles, parquet, or engineered timber, your craft is now better recognised and supported in formal training with dedicated routes to accreditation.

Here at the CFA with the support of its members, we’re building a training system that matches the pride and precision of our work. Through our training arm Flooring Industry Training Association (FITA) we are also working on establishing delivery of the Wood-based Flooring Apprenticeship Standard in the East Midlands as soon as possible, so if you are working in the wood flooring sector and want to know more, please feel free to get in touch.

For more details on both apprenticeship standards, including duration, outcomes, and funding caps, it is all available on the Skills England website at www.skillsforengland.co.uk.

Like what the CFA are doing and want to be involved? Then all information on membership, member benefits and more can be found on our website www.cfa.org.uk

0115 950 6836
shaun@cfa.org.uk
www.cfa.org.uk
Shaun Wadsworth is CFA training manager