Hello

Hi everyone
I have been lurking around on here for a few weeks now.

I don't have experience in floor laying, but it is something I am interested in getting into, but I am wondering what peoples views are on here as to whether or not you think the market is saturated with 'fitters', especially around the south-west, and the midlands area?

I am looking into doing a course at the UKFA, but because it's not that cheap, I don't want to waste the money on the course, only to struggle to find employment. Obviously I know that I wont be a top-notch fitter only having done a 7 day course, but it may help me find employment having gained some basic knowledge/skills

 

Hi mate, the market is saturated with fitters but not all are necessarily good ones. There's guys in the industry as in any industry who just want to smash it down. The majority of lads on here are the creme da la creme of the industry and are open to constant training which is key. It's a passion for a lot of us on here and we want to stand out from the next man. There's plenty of room in the flooring game for GOOD fitters and it's a great job. I personally love it. Came into it when I was 30 and now I'm 44.
As for training the best place is Floorskills run by Matt Bourne and his team (this forum is run by him) and they will give you the best training and knowledge needed to get started. Hope this helps bud.

 

I highly doubt youd find employment as a fitter off the back of a 7 day course to be frank (unless you mean as a lad/helper), id recommend doing a course or 2 once youve been involved in flooring for a while learning from another fitter (find a good one) as be quite honest even with doing a 7 day course at ukfa (who are they?) your only gonna get taken on as a lad to begin with.

Id go into a few shops and ask if any fitter needs a lad/apprentice then once youve got the basics phone up floorskills and they will sort you out with some high level training, might be worth doing an apprenticeship with them if your eligible.

 

Sorry, I did mean more along the lines of a fitters mate. I have sent out quite a few letters to local shops, and also popped into a few asking, even offering to fund any training myself, but with no luck. Most places wont touch me for an apprenticeship because I am 29, and they wont get funding.
The ukfa - its the UK Flooring Academy. I don't know how valuable their courses are, or if they are regarded highly in the industry. I have noticed some places I have been to, and also looking on some shop websites, they have certs from attending the course the UKFA offer. I would like to point out that the shops are very well established, and not something that popped up over night, if you get me.

 

I am also a believer that any training is better than no training, but as always, these things cost money and I cannot afford to waste any, especially if it leads to no where. The UKFA location isn't too far from me, so I could drive every day instead of paying for a B&B, which is something I would have to do for floorskills

 

That's fair enough then, never heard of ukfa only ones I knew about were floorskills and fita being main 2, I'll be honest if you were 10 years younger you'd find it easier finding abit of work with a fitter, keep looking you will find someone who will give ya a chance but bare in mind the money you will be on wont be great and probably wouldn't improve much till you went on your own, as a guide the apprentices that work for fitters where I am get paid bout 40 a day

 

Thanks
To be honest, I have applied for apprenticeships, I am even prepared to be paid an apprentice wage for the first year locally. I think I will keep plodding on trying places. I really do wish this is something I did when I left school

 

Where you based?

 

Where you from?