Dalton—The Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) has partnered with Powernail, a specialty manufacturer of pneumatic nailers and flooring cleats used in the installation of carpet, hardwood flooring and subflooring. The new partnership will help provide technical schools with the tools needed to launch a basic flooring installation program.
Powernail said it is committed to helping train recruits with the best tools available through donations of their tools and materials for all FCEF-supported technical school programs launched in the coming year. “We’re thrilled to be able to support training programs in this way, ensuring that students can learn with quality tools and materials,” said Matt Allyn, eastern sales manager, Powernail. “Having the proper tools and supplies at their disposal will put these students in the utmost position to succeed and we’re going to make sure they have the best adhesives and installation solutions available to help them learn.”
Jim Aaron, executive director, FCEF, added, “Getting new technical college programs off the ground can be very expensive. The schools must make a large initial investment to purchase materials and tools. Anything that we can hand to them at no cost makes it more desirable for the school to start a flooring program.”
According to Kaye Whitener, director of operations, FCEF, the support of the industry will help FCEF launch more programs at a higher rate. “When we can walk into a school and tell them we have donations lined up that will take thousands of dollars off the bottom line we definitely get their attention,” Whitener said.
After launching a pilot program at Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) in January, FCEF said it is now working to replicate that program at other schools across the nation. “This is a win-win for suppliers,” Aaron said. “They’re helping make more programs available, but they’re also getting exposure to new craftsmen and making an impression from the very beginning of their careers.”