Why do we say, Move Beyond Certification, Become Educated?

Inspections are a tricky, never-ending study endeavor.

Every few years, new products or manufacturing techniques "attack us" it seems.

Let us all be honest about this, there are inspectors and then, there are inspectors.

I started in 1988 formerly inspecting flooring.

Four years later, I went to Floor Covering Institute of Technical Services for my certification. Back in those dark ages, many of us were using our knowledge and experiences. That changed, we had to become “CERTIFIED”.

My first class was taught by Randal Green and Tim Smith. Both highly respected and knowledgeable about carpet.

I fell in love with attending classes. So much to learn. Friends and I, we went to everything we could find. Sometimes, four or more a year.

Not just inspection classes. We went to color blending, installation, dyeing, report writing, you think of it, we went.

I learned, if I kept my mouth shut listening to the good guys who helped start this profession back then, I could learn a lot in the evening after classes at dinner or when they were, ok, passing the bottle around.

I started to notice, that the same guys seem to always be at the classes from various different associations and schools.

We all “cross train” by attending different schools by different associations.

These days, to “keep the money” some associations discourage this from happening.

Why?

The money, always, about the money for so many and not the education and training. Good education and training be damned, give me the money they say.

I heard of one ceramic tile inspection class where it was reported that the ANSI and ASTM standards were not even given out, much less discusses! How can that be possible?

Every time they see an inspector who has attended one of their classes at another class not by them, all they see is that money not in their pocket, not the desire by the inspector to be more professional and knowledgeable.

That is one of the reasons we at the Guild say, “MOVE BEYOND CERTIFICATION, BECOME EDUCATED”.

For you people who must read the reports that sometimes mistakenly blames you for a defect not your fault, how do you feel about this?

When education is limited to only one source, one viewpoint, only teaching classes where the manufacturers provide the teachers, where does that leave you?

CONTROL THE INFORMATION, CONTROL THE OUTCOME OF INSPECTION REPORTS.

So many inspectors who are coming along today only want the easy inspections. Please please they say, nothing too technical for me.

Well, we aren’t for you if you feel that way Mr. or Mrs. Inspector.

Mr. & Ms. Contractor, Installer and Retailer, if those inspectors are looking at your jobs, who do you want inspecting your floors? Do you want to protect your profits?

An inspector smart enough to know he or she must see the WORLD OF FLOORING from as many different schools and viewpoints as possible, seeking out true technical knowledge and not the Industry Myths, is who you need.

We recommend attending not just Guild Classes but classes by the different schools listed below. Contractors, check out the inspectors websites to see how many different certifications or training class they have earned or attended.

The following schools are highly recommended for this purpose.

ITS

IFCII

CFIU

We take pride recommending these schools if you only have one training certification. Take the time to be more, be professional and that means, getting yourself educated.

And when it is time, for you to “MOVE BEYOND CERTIFICATION AND BECOME EDUCATED”, know we will be there for you to complete your education.

For that purpose, here is a LINK to one of our recorded classes from last year for you to see the quality of our education. Its is informal but, hey guys, we crawl on floors for a living so let us all remember that, and remember,

YOU CAN BE ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR EDUCATION.

To know how much this instructor, Dr. Loferski, is recognized and sought after internationally, Dr. Loferski was one of the advisors and consultants on the project below.

Here is the link.

The Church of the Transfiguration, a visionary wooden wonder with an octagonal frame and 22 domes built in 1714—legend has it without a single nail—has reopened to tourists for the first time in 40 years after an extensive, and at times contentious, restoration.

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