Dalton—Laticrete has been added to the list of supporters for the The Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF). Laticrete is a family-owned manufacturer of construction solutions, including tile and stone installation and care systems, resinous and decorative flooring finishing systems, masonry veneer installation systems, as well as other materials used in the building industry.
Laticrete said it will provide product and technical support for FCEF’s Technical College Program. The program is currently being piloted at Georgia Northwestern Technical College here, but FCEF plans to expand this program to other colleges in the near future, the company said.
“The support of suppliers with product donations is immensely helpful in rolling out more training around the country,” shared Jim Aaron, executive director of FCEF. “We’re excited to have Laticrete on board for our future programs.”
The second round of the 10-week basic flooring installation program at GNTC is already underway. The next class starts August 15 and will move to a 15-week semester course offering 12 credits. This opens up the program to be eligible for financial aid and other scholarships available for accredited programs.
“Laticrete is proud to do our part in supporting FCEF and the flooring industry,” said Arthur Mintie, Laticrete vice president of customer experience. “We want to help make sure that anyone desiring to become a flooring craftsman has the tools and training they need to get started.”
Laticrete said it is committed to the research and development of innovative installation products and is a leader in the industry for high-quality products and unmatched technical services.
“One of our brand promises is to provide the best installer experience,” Mintie added. “Partnering with FCEF helps us fulfill that promise from the very beginning with new flooring craftsmen.”
While FCEF has made some big strides in increasing awareness and making training more available, there is still a long way to go to make up for a persistent shortage, the company said.
“We are thankful for all the industry support we have received so far,” shared Kaye Whitener, director of Operations for FCEF. “Providing tools and materials is a great help as we roll out more programs. We want trainees to learn with quality tools and products. We have a long list of supplies and tools needed for each program and are so thankful that Laticrete has taken many supplies off the purchase list.”
For other suppliers and manufacturers in the flooring industry that want to support FCEF’s work, visit fcef.org/step-up/suppliers to see all the ways to support FCEF’s initiatives. For those interested in FCEF’s scholarships and programs, visit flooryourfuture.com to get started.