Carpet fitter and floor layer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• an apprenticeship
• applying directly
• training with a professional body

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You can apply for a place on a Floorlayer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This can take up to 3 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and off-site study.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

DirectApplication

You could apply directly to work as a carpet fitter and floor layer.

Employers will expect you to:

• have practical skills
• be good with numbers for making measurements and working out quantities
• have good customer service skills, especially for working in people's homes

OtherRoutes

You could take a training course through a professional industry body like the Flooring Industry Training Association or the Contract Flooring Association .

This may help you to find work as a trainee with a carpet fitting and floor laying company.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to work well with your hands
• customer service skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to work on your own
• knowledge of maths
• physical fitness and endurance
• knowledge of building and construction
• business management skills
• physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
• leadership skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to analyse quality or performance
• a desire to help people

What you'll do:

Carpet fitters and floor layers fit carpets and vinyl tiles, and lay laminate and solid timber floors.

As a carpet fitter or floor layer, you'll:

• measure floor space to be covered and estimate the materials needed
• remove old flooring and prepare the work area
• fit underlay, carpets, tiles, vinyl or wooden flooring
• spray floor coverings with protective coatings
• put furniture back and trim and re-hang doors if removed
• follow safety guidelines when working with glues, solvents and other chemicals

Location : You could work at a client's home or at a client's business.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically demanding.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £20,000
Experienced : £36,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

40 - 47 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends as customers demand

Career Path:

With experience, you could become a flooring team supervisor, estimator or contracts manager.

You could move into related areas like training, buying or product sales.

You could also set up your own business, laying carpets and installing floors in domestic and commercial properties.