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Success stories included within that guide are prisoner reform
strong and varied, we’ve lobbied successfully to agencies in the
dramatically increase apprenticeship funding same vein which
in England, through our training arm, FITA, allows our sector
apprenticeship delivery has expanded rapidly to tap into areas
and we’re now well on track to engage with 50 of new skills and
apprentices and a host of supportive businesses. labour that were
In Scotland, we played a pivotal role in ensuring previously not
apprenticeship delivery continues at CITB available.
Inchinnan, safeguarding opportunities for young
people north of the border. And in Wales we The CFA continues
to proactively
continue to support training providers, awarding
bodies and employers in supporting the updating represent members’ views on training and related

and delivery of apprenticeship qualifications funding to regulatory bodies and CITB, while
at the same time investing in its own training
there too.
organisation, the Flooring Industry Training

Perhaps one of the most rewarding aspects has Association (FITA), which was specifically set up to
been the growing collaboration across the sector. deliver some of the training required by the flooring
Manufacturers, distributors, and contractors sector. This type of venture is relatively unusual for
alike have come together to support new training a trade association to undertake and demonstrates
initiatives and share ideas about how we can work the level of our commitment. This includes
collectively to close the skills gap. One area we’re increasing the apprenticeship delivery at the
particularly passionate about is improving diversity Loughborough training centre to 50 apprentices on
within our workforce. The flooring sector has long rolling cohorts and further cohorts in conjunction
been male dominated, but it doesn’t have to be and with industry stakeholders also planned.
the guide offers some great examples of diversity Finally, the combination of short duration courses,
within the trade.
qualification support (including NVQ assessment

The CFA also continue to work in conjunction with and on-site assessment), sector specific
various government bodies on skills and training, accreditations and clear focus on apprenticeships,
supporting the flooring industry in training reforms, means that through both FITA and other supported
Government Department changes, funding changes activities, the CFA is extremely active in delivering
and competence frameworks all affect the skills much of the training the sector needs.
and training of current and future workforces. And
there is lots of changes to come, apprenticeship
assessment reforms, implementation of
competence frameworks, CITB funding changes,

NVQ qualification level changes and apprenticeship
levy changes to name but a few.
But these are all seen within the CFA as

opportunities to raise the profile of the qualification SHAUN WADSWORTH

alongside other similar construction trades where DEPUTY CEO
the CFA believe it rightfully belongs. Over the next CFA
12 months we are excited to guide industry in WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE ASSISTANCE FROM THE FOLLOWING: :
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engaging with sectors such as ELCAS (Education Build UK (Build UK)
Learning Credits Administration Service) who offer Construction Leadership Council (CLC)
training support for those leaving MOD service. Construction Sector Training Board (CITB)
We also envisage better collaboration with DWP Department for Workplace and Pensions (DWP)
Skills England
(Department for Workplace and Pensions) and
FA
C C
Visit: www.cfa.org.uk Tel: 0115 941 1126 CFA Contract Flooring Industry Training Guide 2026 5
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raining Guide
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Contract Flooring Industr