Installers from across the country will be heading to Kansas City, MO,
later this month for the annual CFI Convention, one of the most important
installation-related events of the year. Despite the difficult economic
conditions, these installers are spending hundreds of their hard-earned dollars
for the chance to improve their skills and network with other installers and
manufacturers. If you’re not one of those who will be in attendance, perhaps you’re
wondering, “Why would they spend that money, when the economy is in such bad
shape?” Why? Because these installers understand that they need to invest in
their most important asset, themselves. Good times or bad, those who take the
time to improve their knowledge and skills will find themselves ahead of the
pack when the economy picks up steam, which it inevitably will.
Another important reason to seek out
training and certification is to prevent costly installation failures. Although
not all failures are the installer’s fault, too often the installer ends up
being held accountable for them. Whether an installation is due to improperly
cured concrete or the wrong adhesive being specified, ultimately it is the
installer’s responsibility to either correct these mistakes before beginning
the installation, or to turn down the job if the mistakes are not corrected.
While walking away from a job might seem crazy in today’s difficult economy,
being liable for thousands of dollars of repair costs is undoubtedly much
worse.
Many experienced installers forgo
installation training and certification because they think they already know
enough to get the job done. In today’s rapidly changing market, what worked a
few years ago may not work today. Installers who do not stay on top of the
latest installation technology may find themselves at a disadvantage when
required to install products they are unfamiliar with. In this issue of Floor
Covering Installer, Jon Namba discusses these and other issues in his column,
“Why should I get Certified?” If you’ve been avoiding certification because you
don’t think you need it, or can’t afford it, you really need to read this
column and reconsider your decision. While it may be difficult to afford
certification at this time, the potential benefits far outweigh the costs, as
certified installers can command much higher rates. Rather than asking, “Can I
afford to get training now?” perhaps you should be asking whether you can
afford not to.
FCI Editorial: Training, Certification Are Key to Staying Competitive
August 25, 2009
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