Flooring Industry Leaders, Educators, and Policymakers Unite at FCEF Workforce Development Forum
Forum Highlights National Collaboration to Strengthen Flooring Workforce Development and Career Pathways
The Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) hosted its Workforce Development Forum today at the Shaw Design Center in Dalton, Georgia, bringing together flooring industry leaders, educators, policymakers, media representatives, workforce development partners, and students to discuss the future of workforce development within the flooring industry.
Led by FCEF Chairman of the Board David Chambers and FCEF Executive Director Kaye Whitener, the forum focused on the importance of industry-wide collaboration to address workforce shortages, strengthen skilled trades education, and create sustainable career pathways for the next generation entering the flooring industry.
The event highlighted how FCEF has become a national unifier — bringing together competitors across all sectors of the flooring industry alongside state college systems, local education leaders, workforce agencies, and policymakers from both sides of the aisle to support one common mission: developing the future workforce of the flooring industry.
“What made today so impactful was seeing competitors, educators, policymakers, and workforce leaders all sitting at the same table focused on solutions,” said Kaye Whitener, Executive Director of FCEF. “This mission is bigger than any one company or organization. It is about creating opportunities for people and ensuring the long-term future of our industry.”
The FCEF Board of Directors itself reflects this collaborative vision, representing a diverse cross-section of manufacturers, retailers, contractors, distributors, service providers, and technology leaders committed to bridging the gap between industry and workforce education.
One of the most powerful moments of the forum centered around student success stories from graduates of FCEF-supported Basic Floor Covering Installation Programs. Graduates Adam Miller of Great Falls Community College, great Falls Montana, Charity Adeoti of Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo Iowa, and Martin Rameriz of Georgia Northwestern Technical College, Dalton, GA. shared how the program helped create meaningful career opportunities within the flooring industry.
“These students are living proof of why workforce development matters,” said David Chambers, FCEF Chairman of the Board. “Through collaboration and investment in training, we are changing lives while strengthening the future workforce of our industry.”
The forum also featured participation from representatives of the Alabama Community College System, the Technical College System of Georgia, Dalton City School System, media organizations, legislative offices, and flooring industry leaders representing companies across the nation.
Attendees included representatives from:
- Shaw Industries
- Mohawk Industries
- Engineered Floors
- NFM
- Emser Tile
- Floor & Decor
- CALI
- Bonitz
- Taylor Carpet One
- Roomvo
- Seamless Floors
- Myers Flooring
- Dossche Holdings
- USA Floors
- Real Floors
- WFCA
- Alabama Community College System
- Technical College System of Georgia
- Dalton City School System
- Georgia House Representatives
- Congressional and Senate offices
The Workforce Development Leadership Forum reinforced the importance of collaboration between education, industry, and government in building sustainable workforce solutions and introducing new talent to rewarding careers in the skilled trades.
As FCEF continues expanding workforce development initiatives nationwide, the organization remains focused on supporting educational programs, scholarships, instructor training, and industry partnerships designed to strengthen the future of flooring installation and skilled trades education.
For more information about the Floor Covering Education Foundation and workforce development initiatives, visit www.fcef.org, or email info@fcef.org.
About the Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF)
The Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to attracting, educating, and supporting the next generation of flooring industry professionals. Through strategic partnerships with schools, colleges, industry leaders, and workforce organizations, FCEF provides training programs, scholarships, career awareness initiatives, and workforce development opportunities nationwide.
Contact:
Kaye Whitener
Executive Director
Floor Covering Education Foundation
KWhitener@fcef.org
www.fcef.org