GREAT FALLS — A new opportunity in the skilled trades is opening in Great Falls, offering a promising career path for anyone interested in installing flooring. With the industry struggling with a shortage of qualified installers, this program could be just the thing for anyone looking to start a new career.

Chad Swift of Floors & More highlighted the industry’s ongoing challenges: “The industry has struggled to find qualified installers for years.”

The aim of this program is to close this gap by providing participants with the necessary skills.

Quincy Jones, director of career and technical education at Great Falls College, emphasized the college’s commitment to workforce development.

MTN News

“One of Great Falls College’s missions is to support workforce development and meet industry needs. We have found that our most successful programs are industry-driven,” Jones said.

According to Swift, the flooring trade offers a dynamic and rewarding career.

He explained: “It’s not the same every day. One day you can be laying tiles and the next day you can be laying hardwood. The students we’re looking for are people who are already in the trade and think this could be something for them. There are some advantages to being a plumber – you’re your own boss, you can set your own hours and the training that goes with it is a ten-week course.”

This ten-week course is led by an experienced installer and covers a range of flooring materials including carpet, vinyl, hardwood and tile. The programme culminates with an assessment week to ensure participants are fully qualified.

Swift added: “It covers all types of flooring, so if you know someone – your uncle, your grandfather – who was a tiler, it’s a great thing to get involved in because you’ll come out a more qualified helper.”

Even better, the program could be free of charge for eligible participants.

Jones explained, “The cool thing about this program is that anyone who applies through the college can apply for a scholarship. And those who are accepted through the scholarship get their tuition completely waived because it’s paid for by the foundation.”

With a strong focus on hands-on training and industry needs, this program offers an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to start or advance a career in the skilled trades. Stay tuned for more details as this new initiative prepares to launch in Great Falls.

For more information, email the program at [email protected].

MTN News