INSTALL expands apprenticeship recognition in the West

INSTALL says Seattle, Oregon and Montana have added apprenticeship recognition for its flooring training programs, building on California approval in 2024. The expansion is meant to meet contractor demand and address skilled labor shortages across the western United States.

Why it matters: - INSTALL’s expanded recognition can make it easier for contractors and apprentices to participate in approved flooring training programs across more Western markets. - The approvals also strengthen INSTALL’s position in procurement and workforce qualification efforts in the flooring industry. - Stronger apprenticeship pipelines matter because the flooring sector continues to face skilled labor needs.

What happened: - INSTALL expanded recognition of its apprenticeship and workforce training in the western United States. - Seattle, Washington, added recent approval for INSTALL apprenticeship recognition. - Oregon and Montana added reciprocity agreements tied to INSTALL training. - California statewide apprenticeship recognition was earned in 2024. - The expansion follows contractor demand and skilled labor needs across the flooring industry. - The United Brotherhood of Carpenters launched the apprenticeship programs that support the recognition.

The details: - INSTALL is the North American leader in floorcovering installation training and certification. - INSTALL apprentices receive hands-on training and technical instruction from veteran instructors at INSTALL training centers. - The curriculum is developed by the Carpenters International Training Fund with input from manufacturers and industry leaders. - The curriculum is reviewed regularly to keep pace with flooring trends, technologies and techniques. - The current curriculum includes nine pillars: Standard Skills, Carpet, Resilient Flooring, Resinous Flooring, Hardwood Flooring, Concrete Polishing, Safety, Productivity and Green Building Awareness. - Manufacturer-specific methods are informed by the INSTALL Alliance, which includes more than 130 mills and manufacturers. - INSTALL standards define the competencies apprentices must demonstrate and the requirements needed to complete the program. - The standards are regularly reviewed by the U.S. Department of Labor and Canadian provincial labor departments. - INSTALL says the structure is designed to help workers meet industry standards and evolving jobsite demands. - INSTALL’s apprenticeship information is available at installfloors.org/training/install-training-program. - INSTALL is the International Standards and Training Alliance, an association of installers, contractors, manufacturers, associations and consultants. - INSTALL says it offers the industry’s only free, extended and non-proprietary third-party warranty on labor.

Between the lines: - The western expansion suggests INSTALL is using apprenticeship recognition as both a labor pipeline strategy and a market-positioning tool. - Gross framed the approvals as part of a broader push to attract new contractors and apprentices while maintaining trade standards. - Nevada is also seeing growth, with the Las Vegas area showing sustained increases in apprentice work hours and contractor demand for INSTALL-trained installers.

What's next: - INSTALL is likely to keep pursuing additional regional approvals as contractor demand and labor shortages shape the market. - Broader adoption of INSTALL credentials could increase the role of training and qualification standards in flooring procurement decisions. - More information is available through INSTALL’s training program page and organization website.