This year is just blowing by. We’re quickly approaching the end of 2024, and the holiday season will soon be upon us. It all feels a bit overwhelming. I’m also facing another birthday this month, and it’s hard to believe how quickly time has passed. It feels like I’m in a race that began a decade ago, with everyone else out in front.
I often feel the same way about our industry—we’re racing to build a stronger future, one that many of us may not benefit from directly, but that our children and grandchildren will. We put in so much effort to support our local communities and nonprofits because it’s the right thing to do. So why wouldn’t we invest back in the FCEF that supports the industry that has sustained our livelihoods?
Recently, I had the privilege of visiting Great Falls Community College in Montana, where I witnessed the remarkable floor covering installation programs that have been established there. This initiative took nearly two years of meetings and planning to bring to fruition, and it couldn’t have happened without the strong support of local flooring companies. Chad Swift from Floors & More/Abbey, along with Greg Loeffler and Mike Chouinard from Pierce Flooring, have been instrumental in this program’s success. Their collaboration with the Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) has created a valuable pathway for new talent entering the flooring industry.
During my visit, I attended an advisory meeting with various local flooring professionals. Tanja DiCenzo, Mannington’s district manager, generously provided the meal for our gathering, where we invited students from the flooring installation class. It was inspiring to hear Quincie Jones from Great Falls Community College express how vital our FCEF program is for students. She noted that our initiative serves as a model for other industries seeking support from educational institutions.
The following day, Chad, Mike and I participated in the World of Works (WOW) event, introducing 2,500 middle and high school students to the flooring industry and other skilled trades. This was just one of many meetings FCEF has hosted to discuss our industry and the training opportunities we offer. While the college and high school programs have gained momentum quickly, we recognize that they cannot be our only means of achieving FCEF’s mission.
So, how can FCEF bolster the flooring industry by supporting basic floor covering installation programs nationwide? We have the chance to attract quality talent and lay a strong foundation for their training, instilling industry standards and encouraging ongoing skill development. This approach is crucial for the future of our industry.
However, we cannot accomplish this alone. The challenges we face are too significant for any single sector of our industry to tackle. If you aren’t currently supporting FCEF, I encourage you to learn more about our initiatives and join us in promoting the flooring industry. Together, we can foster a thriving future for the flooring industry and the talented individuals who will shape it.
