 |
What Is A Floorlayer?
The installation of carpeting, hardwood flooring, and soft tiles and "linoleum-type" products made of vinyl and rubber is the work of the floorlayer. This is a specialized occupation which is attracting many young men and women. Floorlayers install a wide range of decorative floor coverings in commercial buildings, hotels, homes and churches.
What Do Floorlayers Do?
 |
Floorlayers cut, fit and install hardwood flooring and various types of underlayment to insure smooth, level surfaces for the finished floor.
They also scribe, cut, fit, layout and seam tile and "sheet stock" in a variety of patterns. They are skillful in cutting, binding, sewing, and installing carpet. They work from the specifications of architects and interior designers, and must be good at estimating materials and doing layout. One of their specialties is geometrical designs in floors which sometimes requires the installation of inlaid pieces.
How Can You Learn To Be A Floorlayer?
Floorlayer training is available in many cities through apprenticeship programs offered by the United Brother of Carpenters and Joiners of America.
What Is Apprenticeship Training?
An apprenticeship is someone who is learning a trade by working under the guidance of skilled workers of that trade, called journeymen. It is on-the-job training. You earn while you learn, and you are paid a wage from the first day you become a working apprentice. Today, women are training as floorlayer apprentices, too. apprentices are usually paid at about 50% of the journeyman rate of pay to start. Your wages are increased periodically, usually every six months, until you reach the full journeyman scale. It takes three or four years to become a journeyman floorlayer. But remember, the training costs you nothing!
How To Prepare Yourself For A Floorlayer CareerIf you are still in school, you should take courses which prepare you with the skills needed to apply for and succeed in apprenticeship. Basic mathematics, drafting and mechanical drawing, and construction and shop courses offered through the public school system will give you a head start.
The Hours And Working conditions Of The Floorlayer
Floorlayers usually work in crews or two or more. It takes teamwork to roll and align carpeting and achieve tight fits. Most of the work is indoors, except for the installation of indoor-outdoor carpets, which usually occurs on commercial, institutional or residential properties. Floor and wall coverings are installed on all types of surfaces - wood, concrete, drywall and metal - so the floorlayer must know the safe and proper use of many types of adhesives and fastening systems. Floorlayers spend a lot of time replacing old flooring in furnished buildings, and must be neat and clean, and careful not to damage furnishings. Floorlayers are also the last workers in buildings under new construction or renovation, and they must be careful not to damage the work of other tradesmen.
 |
The Pay And Benefits Really Add Up
The rewards of apprenticeship training in the floor covering industry are the good wages and benefits you receive as a skilled craftsperson. Floor coverers belong to the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, the largest building trades union in North America.
You'll be working with good employers under the protection of a union contract, probably with health insurance and pension and welfare benefits. In the long run, it pays to be the best you can be - an apprenticeship trained floorlayer.
For More Information Contact A Local Union In Your Area! click here
Top
