WHO WE ARE
Brief introduction of FCEF and its mission:
• Raising awareness of flooring industr y careers.
• Recruiting and training new talent.
• Offering scholarships and education programs.
• Facilitating job placement for skilled graduates.
THE L ABOR CRISIS
9,200+ Jobs: There are over 9,200 unfilled flooring installation jobs in the U.S. alone annually for the next 10 years, contributing to significant delays and a growing skill gap. Per Depar tment of Labor.
Projected Growth: The flooring industr y is expected to grow by 10% over
the next 5 years, fur ther increasing the demand for skilled installers.
Economic Impact: Labor shor tages are causing a loss of millions in potential revenue each year, affecting the profitability of contractors and businesses nationwide.
Aging Workforce: The average age installer today is 57 years old.
FCEF’S UNIQUE SUPPORT MODEL
FREE CURRICULUM AND SUPPORT DOCUMENTS
Public schools receive all necessar y resources at no cost.
STUDENT SCHOL ARSHIPS
Financial assistance for students to attend training programs.
JOB PL ACEMENT ASSISTANCE
Par tnerships with local flooring businesses to secure employment for graduates.
FCEF BOARD OF DIRECTOR S
Deb DeGraaf | Chair
Co-Owner, DeGraaf Interiors
Piet Dossche CEO President, Dossche Holdings
Joe Semaan President, Residential Carpet, Mohawk Industries
Russell Headrick | Treasure Director - Financial Ser vices, Shaw Industries
Jeff Honkonen | Secretar y Assistant to the CEO, Engineered Floors LLC
Jennie Taylor Owner, Taylor Carpet One
David Chambers | Co-Chair Director of Flooring, Nebraska Furniture Mar t
Hoy Lanning Past CEO President , J.J. Haines
Randall Sheehe Director of National Accounts, Emser Tile
Chanel Clifford Vice President
National Accounts, Cali Floors
Don Roberts CEO President, Central Alabama Flooring
Fred Black General Manager, USA Flooring
Sinclair Myers
General Manager, Myers Flooring
Scott Humphrey | CEO President,
World Floor Covering Association
Andy Remm
Sr. Vice President, Floor & Decor
Ray Perren
Chair Education Advancement Committee
Deputy Commissioner for Technical Education, Technical College System of Georgia
WH AT WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED
OVERVIE W OF PROGRESS AS OF 2024
FCEF’s Achievements: Transforming the Industr y
• Programs Established: FCEF has launched 26+ programs across colleges in 16 states and 2 countries, laying the foundation for a stronger workforce.
• Students Trained: Over 500 students have graduated from FCEF’s programs, preparing them for successful careers in flooring installation.
• Job Placements: 82% of FCEF graduates are successfully placed in jobs within the industr y, directly addressing the labor shor tage.
• Scholarships Awarded: FCEF has awarded $500,000+ in scholarships, making education accessible to deser ving students across the nation.
Scholarships and Employment Success:
• 411 scholarships awarded, totaling $608,176.50.
• 83% of trained individuals are working in the industr y.
Federal Grants:
• DOL WORC Round 5: Provides suppor t for 3 colleges in Alabama for three years.
• DOL WORC Round 6: Provides suppor t for o college in Mississippi and one in Missouri f three years.
Community Engagement:
• Initiatives for veterans, underser ved communities, and refugees.
PENNY PROGR AM
Penny Program, a key fundraising initiative where manufacturers and retailers contribute a small por tion of sales to FCEF.
Program par tners include:
• CALI: Customers can opt-in to a one-cent-persquare-foot contribution.
• Leggett & Platt: Offering an opt-out one-cent-per-square-yard donation program, with L&P matching dealer contributions.
• IFC (International Flooring Company): unveiled IFC’s commitment to FCEF, including a one-cent-per-square-foot contribution on Canopy product sales from IFC including an additional penny per dealer par ticipation with an Opt-Out.
SKILLBRIDGE PARTNERSHIP
FCEF is excited to announce its expanded par tnership with the U.S. Depar tment of Defense’s SkillBridge program, now including specialized training through the Basic Floor Covering Installation program.
This initiative will enable transitioning militar y personnel to par ticipate in hands-on training at approved college programs, positioning them for rewarding careers in the floor covering industr y.
KEY BENEFITS OF THE EXPANDED PROGR AM
Industr y-Relevant Training: Transitioning ser vice members will have access to the Basic Floor Covering Installation programs at approved colleges, receiving hands-on instruction from industr y exper ts.
Smooth Transition: Par ticipants can leverage their militar y-honed discipline, problem-solving skills, and leadership abilities to make a seamless transition into the civilian workforce.
Workforce Development: FCEF benefits from
early access to a pool of highly skilled, motivated individuals, while the industr y gains fresh talent ready to drive growth and innovation.
COLLEGE PROGR AMS
Alabama: Drake State Community College (Huntsville, AL), Jefferson State Community College (Birmingham, AL), Nor theast Alabama Community College (Rainsville, AL).
Arizona: Arizona Western College (Yuma, A Z),
Nor thland Pioneer College (Show Low, A Z).
Florida: Suncoast Technical College (Sarasota, FL).
Georgia: Georgia Nor thwestern Technical College (Dalton, GA), Atlanta Technical College (Atlanta, GA), Albany Technical College (Albany, GA).
Iowa: Hawkeye Community College (Waterloo, IA).
Mississippi: Pearl River Community College (Hattiesburg, MS).
Missouri: Three Rivers Community College (Sikeston, MO).
Michigan: Align Center (Adrian, MI).
Montana: Great Falls Community College (Great Falls, MT).
Nebraska: Nebraska Metropolitan CC (Omaha, NE).
North Carolina: Catawba Valley CC (Hickor y, NC).
Tennessee: Chattanooga State Community College (Chattanooga, TN), TCAT Dickson (Clarksville, TN), Walters State Community College (Morristown, TN).
Texas: St. Philip’s College (San Antonio, TX).
Wisconsin: Nor thcentral Technical College (Wausau, WI), Waukesha Community Technical College (Pewaukee, WI).
Canada: Manitoba Institute of Technology, Nor thern Alber ta Institute of Technology.
MEET OUR STUDENTS
WILL | Cincinatti, Ohio
Click here for Will’s video!
Georgia Nor thwestern Technical College Dalton, GA. | May 2022
Will has continued to grow in this profession, recently securing a year-long hospitality project and now overseeing a team of 43 installers.
Click here for Charity’s video!
CHARITY | Nor th Dakota
Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo Iowa | May 2024
Charity graduated in the spring of 2024 and has been actively working in the tile industr y, continuously expanding her knowledge and refining her skill set.
JOSUE | Kentucky
Click here for Josue’s video!
Chattannoga State, Chattnooga TN | June 2024
Josue attended training in Chattanooga, TN, and then moved to Cincinnati to work for Will in commercial flooring.
Click here for Sasha’s video!
SASHA | Georgia
Georgia Nor thwestern Technical College, Dalton, GA. | May 2024
Sasha par ticipated in dual enrollment at GNTC while in high school.
Since graduating, she has been working in the flooring industr y.
WHERE WE’RE HE ADED
EXPANDING TR AINING ACCESS:
• VR-based training modules and high school dual enrollment expansion.
STRENGTHENING INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT:
• Expanding the Penny Par tner Program and fostering stronger industr y relationships.
COMPETING WITH OTHER TR ADES:
• Position flooring installation alongside HVAC, plumbing, and construction as a high-demand trade.
FIVE-YEAR GOALS:
• Expand programs to ever y state in the U.S. by 2030.
• Strengthen ties with flooring businesses and industr y in the U.S. and Canada.
INSTRUCTOR TR AINING CLINIC (JUNE 2025)
This exclusive training clinic is available only to College and High School instructors teaching the Basic Floor Covering Installation Program.
This specialized hands-on training is designed to enhance your instructional skills and techniques. This clinic will equip you with the necessar y tools to effectively train the next generation of flooring installers, ensuring they gain the knowledge and exper tise needed to succeed in the industr y. With the flooring industr y facing a critical shor tage of skilled installers, your role is essential in building a strong and capable workforce.
Space is limited—secure your spot today! See next page for details.
DATE:
JUNE 9TH -13TH, 2025
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
• SUPPORT THROUGH DONATIONS (DIRECT DONATIONS OR THROUGH THE PENNY PARTNER PROGR AM).
• PARTNER WITH FCEF TO EXPAND TR AINING OPPORTUNITIES.
• VOLUNTEER AS MENTORS OR INSTRUCTORS.
