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Author: Andy

10 Mar

NVQ’s with FloorSkills

Undertaking a NVQ assessment with FloorSkills couldn’t be easier. Our assessor visits you while you’re working, so you won’t have to have time off work or visit an assessment centre.
All FloorSkills assessors are flooring trade competent, with our assessors still installing floorcoverings themselves.

Can you fail a NVQ?

If your trade competent and experienced then you will not fail your NVQ assessment. The assessor’s role involves guiding you and helping you pass your NVQ assessment. If you are unsure of the answers to any question an assessor may ask you or if you are unsure on how to do something an assessor may ask you to demonstrate then you can ask your assessor for help. The assessor is there to also give minor training if required to help you understand what is being asked of you. The assessor is not there to fail you.

What is the cost of an onsite NVQ Assessment?

NVQ’s are currently charged at £1100 + vat. This will entitle you to one NVQ. In floorcoverings, there are 3 types of NVQ available – Textile, Impervious and Wood flooring. You can pick any one of the above Flooring NVQ’s. If you require more than one flooring NVQ then additional NVQ’s are charged at £300 + vat each.

10 Mar

What is an NVQ

NVQ is short for National Vocation Qualification. NVQ’s are available in all types of trades and are now compulsory if you’re working on a building site that requires a cscs card to gain entry.

How do I get a NVQ?

There are two ways you can gain a NVQ qualification, you can either enrol on an apprenticeship course or if your competent you can take just the assessment.

What is a CSCS card?

CSCS is the certification scheme within the UK that the construction industry asks for and recognise to allow you to work on building sites. To gain a CSCS card you will require to be qualified in whatever job your undertaking. To get qualified you will require a NVQ qualification. You will also be required to take a Health + Safety test. Once you have both the NVQ and a H+S test pass certificate you can apply for a CSCS card.

9 Feb

Flooring Installers and Retailers Directory

What’s the difference between a Master, Endorsed and Trained Installer?

Master Installers-

FloorSkills Master Installers are installers who have been assessed and passed the rigorous assessment process, along with completing extensive training. All Master Installers are required to adhere to the highest installation standards, that are required to pass the Master Installer assessment process. Customers must be prepared to pay a little more for an approved Master Installer and they will benefit from a perfect installation with the option to register for the extended warranty giving you 3 years warranty rather than the standard 1 year of installation that most offer.

* Extended warranty only applies to flooring products supplied by the Approved Master Installer / Retailer

Endorsed Installers-

FloorSkills Endorsed Installers are installers who have also been assessed and passed the rigorous assessment process of their installation ability. Very similar to Master Installers but have passed at a slightly lower level or passed an assessment process at an alternative assessment centre to FloorSkills. Endorsed installers will carry out a very high-quality installation but are not accredited to offer the extended 3 Year FloorSkills warranty. Endorsed installers are generally a little cheaper than Master Installers. Our Master Installers can also offer the same service as an Endorsed installer at the slightly cheaper installation rate.

Trained Installers-

Trained installers are installers who have completed training courses relevant to the products they supply and install. However, the installers have not carried out an assessment process with FloorSkills or an alternative assessment centre. Many installers/retailers have their own assessment process and don’t require their staff to undertake an external assessment process. Due to no assessment being carried out by FloorSkills, we can not warrant or guarantee the quality of the installation. This does not mean the installers are not a good quality installer. Trained installers tend to be cheaper than Endorsed and Master installers.

How it Works-

Please follow the link to the Flooring Directory where you will be able to find a range of installers and retailers.
Make use of the flooring calculator to get an idea of approximate installation costs (Costs do not include floorcovering but may include preparation materials).

There is a FAQ section that will help you understand the costs that differ for different aged properties and different floorcoverings that you may be considering having supplied and installed or just installed.

9 Jan

Useful information

Courses normally commence at 9.00AM each day, with lunch provided, and usually end around 5PM. All tools and equipment will be provided for trainees, and they need only arrive with suitable clothing to include knee pads.

Parking is available on the estate. Please park in the designated area or opposite the centre and be considerate of the needs of other units and visitors on the estate.

Traveling to the FloorSkills training centre

The nearest motorway exit is M42, junction 3. On leaving the motorway, follow signs for Limes Country Lodge. At the T junction facing the hotel turn right, and Lyndons Farm is the first trading estate on the right (approx. 500 metres from the junction).

The nearest train station is Earlswood, about 1 mile from the centre, and trains normally arrive around 8.55AM and there are departures at 4.55PM and 5.55PM.

Local Taxi Service: ABLE Senator Cars 01564 200 000. Please tell them, when booking, you are attending Floorskills Training Centre.

Recommended accommodation

Most convenient accommodation for the centre, please quote FloorSkills when booking:

The Limes Country Lodge
Address: Forshaw Heath Road, Earlswood, B94 5JZ
Tel: 01564 703444
Distance: 1/4 mile
(Recommended for Apprentices)

Travelodge Birmingham Maypole Hotel
Address: Maypole Lane, Birmingham, B14 5JF
Tel: 0871 559 1896
Distance: 4.6 miles
(Recommended for Apprentices)

Rose Cottage B&B
Address: Stratford Road, Hockley Heath, B94 5NH
Tel: 01564 782936
Distance: 4.8 miles

Premier Inn Solihull Hockley Heath
Address: Stratford Road, Solihull, B94 6NX
Tel: 0871 527 8984
Distance: 5.4 miles

9 Jan

What we offer

FloorSkills is Europe’s largest independent Training Centre with over 28000 sq-ft of dedicated flooring training area. We have over 40 training bays of all shapes and sizes including a range of movable obstacles, our facilities include:

  • 28’000 sq-ft facility
  • 50 dedicated training bays
  • 7 separate training areas so we can run 7 different courses per day.
  • 32 seat auditorium
  • 3 conference areas
  • Specialist clean room training bays (walls & ceilings) to include Bioclad and Altro whiterock installation techniques
  • Specialist Concrete and Anhydrite diamond floor grinding
  • Multiple obstacles and practice areas to include stairs, winders, open plan stairs, shower trays etc
  • Specialist test area with UFH and water injection to change test bed RH

FloorSkills also works in partnership with numerous colleges across the UK and training providers, each with their own quality assurance checks. We are also approved by many manufacturers to provide training around their products.

9 Jan

Who we are

FloorSkills Training Centre is run under the personal supervision from two of the country’s leading trainers Sid and Matt Bourne, who have between them won British champion installer and represented the UK in the European championships. FloorSkills only uses trainers who are proven in the trade, along with a majority who have also won UK competitions or competed in them. FloorSkills also work in partnership with the BWFA who FloorSkills provides the training towards the BWFA apprenticeship program on their behalf.

The main aims of our training courses are to educate fitters while on courses and to enable access to ongoing training. FloorSkills has undergone a rigorous approval process where the contents of its courses and the processes it uses in association with them have been thoroughly checked and approved by leading Manufacturers. FloorSkills is also a multi awarding winning training centre.

 

 

9 Jan

What is an Apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a combination of working, studying and earning a wage.

While on an apprenticeship you will be working with your employer daily and attending FloorSkills Training Centre for off site dedicated training.

FloorSkills flooring apprenticeships are available with funding to anyone living or working within England.

You will be required to visit Europe’s largest multi award-winning training centre where you will learn many methods of installation for a variety of different floorcoverings.

You will be trained in both textiles and impervious floorcoverings to a level 2 standard and complete an end point assessment to be a certified Floorlayer.

On our Textile and Impervious apprenticeship you will cover –

• Subfloor preparation
• Stretch fit textile to include stairs, winders, open plan stairs, BN steps, joins etc
• Contract textile installation to include direct stick, dual stick systems
• Carpet tiles
• LVT to include, straight lay, diagonal lay, border work and designs
• Domestic cushion floor vinyl
• Contract vinyl, safety floor, linoleum
• Estimating, creating cutting plans, writing specifications, reading scale drawings
+ a whole lot more

9 Jan

FloorSkills Apprenticeships

FloorSkills apprenticeships are delivered on a block release system; apprentices will attend training on alternate months, averaging 3-5 days per block release.

FloorSkills believe the best way to learn is to complete a full installation from start to finish, this includes the apprentices preparing their own area ready for installation, right through to the finishing touches. FloorSkills do not pre-prepare or part install the area for the students.

On the Textile and Impervious apprenticeship apprentices will cover:
• Subfloor preparation
• Stretch fit textile to include stairs, winders, open plan stairs, BN steps, joins etc.
• Contract textile installation to include direct stick and dual stick systems.
• Carpet Tiles
• LVT to include, straight lay, diagonal lay, border work and designs.
• Domestic cushion floor vinyl
• Contract vinyl, safety floor, linoleum
• Estimating, creating cutting plans, writing specifications, reading scale drawings
+ a whole lot more

The apprenticeship is delivered over an average of 18 months, varying to suit individual apprentices needs. After approximately 18 months the apprenticeship moves onto the EPA Assessment process.

What is an EPA Assessment?

The EPA assessment consists of:

  • Practical assessment.
  • Professional Discussion.
  • General Knowledge test.

FloorSkills will be constantly assessing the apprentice’s ability throughout the apprenticeship and tailoring the training to suit the individual.

Mock assessments are completed and additional training provided as necessary to ensure the apprentice is ready for the EPA.

The EPA assessment can be carried out at any approved EPA centre or at FloorSkills by an independent assessor, where FloorSkills will look after the whole process making it trouble free for the employer and the apprentice.

What will the apprentice achieve?

Apprentices work towards gaining the following achievements / qualifications:

  • Level 2 Floorlayer Certification.
  • Level 1 and/or Level 2 Functional Skills.
  • Employer Rights and Responsibilities.

9 Jan

Apprenticeship funding and how it works

FloorSkills has funding available for ALL age groups. There are no age restrictions.

16-18yrs are fully funded, no employer contributions, and a confirmed employer incentive of £1000

19yrs + are 95% funded, with the employer covering the 5% shortfall.

The above costs include all training provided by FloorSkills, End Point Assessment (EPA), Certification, Function Skills, etc.

THERE ARE NO HIDDEN COSTS!

9 Jan

Apprenticeship funding and how it works

FloorSkills has funding available for ALL age groups. There are no age restrictions.

16-18yrs are fully funded, no employer contributions, and a confirmed employer incentive of £1000

19yrs + are 95% funded, with the employer covering the 5% shortfall.

The above costs include all training provided by FloorSkills, End Point Assessment (EPA), Certification, Function Skills, etc.

THERE ARE NO HIDDEN COSTS!