Shaun Wadsworth elaborates on the opening of entries for the 2026 CFA Flooring Apprentice of the Year
On behalf of The Contract Flooring Association (CFA) I am delighted to announce that entries for the 2026 Flooring Apprentice of the Year competition are now open via the dedicated portal on our website at www.cfa.org.uk.
The CFA are immensely proud of championing this award, which has become a cornerstone of the flooring industry calendar. It highlights the remarkable achievements of apprentices while providing a platform to display the valuable skills they have gained through their training. For participating employers, it is a chance to demonstrate their commitment to workforce development and investment in the next generation of skilled flooring installers.
Each year, we are impressed by the tremendous support for this initiative, from the quality of entries submitted by apprentices to the generous prizes donated by its sponsors, it never fails to disappoint.
The competition shines a spotlight on the industry’s future, underlining the huge benefits of high-quality training. It also emphasises the critical role apprenticeships play in developing skilled installers and is an essential tool for inspiring the next wave of floorlayers.
WHY ENTER?
If you employ an apprentice who is adding value to your business, with masses of potential, the right work ethic and attitude, then why not collaborate with them to submit an entry and celebrate your joint success. It is great for the profile of the business and extremely rewarding for the apprentice to receive recognition for a job well done. If you have someone who is putting 100% effort into their training and consistently producing excellent results, then this competition is for them and you. If you work within a college or training provider and you have spotted a talented individual, please let the employer know so that you can work together to submit an entry.
HOW TO ENTER
Entries are submitted directly though the CFA website at www.cfa.org.uk from January 2 – March 27, 2026. Entering the competition is simple but relies on the apprentice, their employer and their training provider all submitting information, supporting comments and evidence of projects or activity that show just how good the nominee is. There is also the option to upload video content, photographs and case studies alongside a series of questions about the apprentice to build a full picture.
WHO CAN ENTER?
Any formal apprentice (or a formal apprentice who has completed within the last 12 months) can enter. An apprentice can also be put forward by their employer or training provider too.
Formal apprenticeship routes include the Floorlayer Apprenticeship Standard (England), the Construction Building Modern Apprenticeship in Floorcovering (Scotland), the Floorcovering Apprenticeship Framework (Wales) and the Apprenticeship Framework – Construction Specialist Sector – Floorcovering (Northern Ireland). Just to be clear, the apprentice does not have to work for a CFA member business. This competition is a celebration of our industry.
HOW IS THE COMPETITION JUDGED?
The competition entries are judged by an independent panel made up of a respected group of CFA Council members with a vast wealth of experience in flooring. These judges will review all entries and collectively select a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner, all who will receive prizes for their achievement.
WHEN IS THE WINNER ANNOUNCED?
CFA are delighted to announce that once again there will be a live announcement of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prize-winners at the InstallerSHOW 2026 Exhibition taking place at the NEC 23-25 June 2026.
WHAT DOES THE WINNER RECEIVE?
The competition is backed by superb support from our sponsors. The 1st place winner will receive a prize list that was valued at over £10,000+ including cash donations, shopping vouchers and thousands of pounds worth of high-quality products, training days, tools and equipment. 2nd and 3rd place apprentices will also receive prizes courtesy of sponsors too.
The winning apprentice will also have the honour of attending the CFJ Flooring Industry Awards in October 2026, officially receiving recognition for their achievement alongside all other illustrious winners in front of an audience made up of the industry’s top flooring contractors, manufacturers and distributors.
MEET LAST YEAR’S WINNER – Daniel Mee from Hillside Contracts Ltd in Leicestershire, England.
The judges noted that Daniel’s entry was comprehensive, displaying all expected apprentice competencies, including thorough site setup, meticulous preparation work, correct PPE usage, and execution of diverse flooring tasks and procedures. His range of photos and videos supported his entry and he received great marks on all questions asked regarding floorlaying activities as part of the entry. He also received great praise from his tutor and employer. Daniel spent time throughout his teens helping his uncle, who is also a floorlayer and discovered how much he enjoyed the work before joining his employer Hillside Contracts Ltd. Daniel stated it is a profession he finds fun, rewarding, and something he is genuinely passionate about.
Daniel had the following to say about winning the competition;
‘I am over the moon to have won the CFA Apprentice of the Year 2025. It is a massive honour and it still has not fully sunk in. It feels incredible to have all my hard work, commitment, and learning recognised like this. I have put everything into my apprenticeship, so to come away with this kind of recognition means more than I can put into words. I just want to thank my uncle James for introducing me to the trade. I also want to thank everyone at Hillside Contracts Ltd for giving me the opportunity to learn and grow as part of a great team. And a massive thanks to Josh and Paul Appleby for the time, patience, and knowledge they have shared with me. I have learned so much from everyone. Winning this award has given me even more motivation to keep pushing forward. It is a proud moment and just the start of what I hope will be a long career in the industry.’
Jo Singer, Director at Hillside Contracts Ltd said;
‘Hillside Contracts Ltd are delighted that Daniel has been awarded Apprentice of the Year 2025. We are extremely proud of Daniels’s efforts and determination he has shown to win this award’
Daniel completed the formal training element of his apprenticeship with Webs Training Ltd and Flooring Industry Training Association (FITA) attending the FITA Training centre in Loughborough for his off the job training. Helen Davies, Flooring Training Coordinator at Webs Training Ltd had the following to say;
‘Daniel put so much effort into his apprenticeship, he was determined to have the best portfolio and provided the very best evidence that he possibly could. His practical skills developed quickly due to the effort and energy he put into every FITA session and his interaction with the fitters on site. The result was that Daniel was ready for his end point assessment earlier than planned and he sailed through it with a very respectable distinction’
The CFA website is open for entries now and closes at the end of March, so do not delay, get your entries in now. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact the CFA office or visit the website for more details.
0115 950 6836
shaun@cfa.org.uk
www.cfa.org.uk
Shaun Wadsworth is CFA training manager