#MAPEITechTip: Flooring Industry—how to attract Millennials to ‘blue collar’ jobs?

There’s a stigma that Millennials associate with ‘blue-collar’ workers as relics of an aging American workforce in a dead-end field.  We seem to forget that great cities like New York and Chicago were built with blood, sweat, and tears by some of the most gifted blue-collar artisans within the industry.  Somehow ‘white-collar’ has been elevated and the perception of blue-collar laborers diminished. Yet we all seem to forget that without those skilled laborers, we would have no place to call home or gather and eat, let alone the Universities made of brick and mortar.  Unfortunately, Millennials don’t see the construction industry as a desirable career path—we have created the illusion that they will be laborers forever with no room for advancement. Millennials have opted to avoid the industry altogether to pursue more ‘prestigious’ desk jobs. While getting our hands dirty was a badge of honor for our parents and grandparents, having generations of bricklayers or tile and stone setters is no longer looked at as desirable career by Millenials.  How do we change this perception and attract the next generation of flooring professionals?

Sam Biondo, MAPEI’s National Presenter had the opportunity to attend the two day Installation Summit 2016 in Dallas, TX this week to address some concerns within the flooring industry.  Let’s take a moment to get a brief overview from Sam as to what was discussed.

Q1 Tech Talk: Sam, thank you for answering some questions for us about the Installation Summit. Who attended the Installation Summit 2016?
A1 Sam Biondo: There were over 70 people there from all sides of the flooring industry, wood, ceramic and stone tile, carpet and vinyl.

Q2 Tech Talk: What was the intent of the Installation Summit 2016?
A2 Sam Biondo: We in the construction industry are heading into a huge labor shortage. We have to compete with all other trades for a dwindling work force. The summit was focused on how to address the shortage with qualified labor. 

Q3 Tech Talk:  What were the key issues that the Summit identified to address?
A3 Sam Biondo: The first was how to attract Millennials and the Second was how to address industry training and certification of an installer.    

Q4 Tech Talk:  So, looking at that first meeting initiative, how do we attract young workers?
A4 Sam Biondo: First of all, we as industry professionals need to have a good story, we need a hero. We need to show them that installing is not the end there are so many other pathways within the flooring industry that they can go, sales, design, technical there are so many options. Some of the keys were maybe helping them with college tuition or helping them with student debt.

Q5 Tech Talk: The next point you mentioned was training and certifying qualified workers, how does that benefit the customer?
A5 Sam Biondo: Our business is always evolving there are new products and methods that are being introduced all the time within our field. Proficiently skilled installers are always being educated from the product manufacturers and the industry associations to stay on the cutting edge. A certified installer is engaged constantly in training, similar to any professional like a doctor or lawyer that must keep their skills well honed. When installers are progressive in their skill set, it gives them an advantage and ensures the customer that the installer is ‘qualified’ on the most up to date installation methods and standards—a win-win for both the installer and the customer.

Q6 Tech Talk:  Sam, so what was the general consensus going forward with both of these initiatives?
A6 Sam Biondo: The breakout meeting indentified some common objectives that the entire flooring industry could potentially develop together.  All attendees agreed to have a special committee to develop some key goals and objectives.  Since we all have a vested interest in attracting Millennials and training, it is key we all do our part to promote these initiatives.


MAPEI is devoted to educating installers, consumers, and the industry on important topics such as this one.  We have provided a career path for many former installers who now share their knowledge with others.  We also provide training on our products worldwide through our MTI program which is headed up in the US by Sam.