The Flooring Contractors Association (FCICA)

THE FLOOR ING CONTRACTORS ASSOC I AT ION ( FC I CA) for members is the networking that the organization fosters between contractors and suppliers. This can be invaluable. For example, a contractor may come across an issue when installing a product and know someone working for the supplier that they can reach out to for support and guidance to assist with the problem. Peer-to-peer networking between contractors, etc. can also be highly beneficial for members. With education as a key tenet, the FCICA started a certification program about five years ago for installation managers, the Certified Installation Manager (CIM) program. There are already certification programs for flooring installation that the FCICA didn’t want to duplicate, which is why the organization instead focused on management education in the flooring industry. After all, one of the steps that a contractor might want to take after becoming certified in flooring installation is to be a flooring manager or project manager. At the end of 2020, there were already 230 certified installation managers that had successfully completed the CIM program and about 40 professionals going through the process. Church considers it a great program, comprised of eight modules, which can be completed in a number of different ways. It can be done solely online and does not require an instructor for learning and tests to be undertaken. Another option is a crash course called ‘3 Days to CIM’ in which attendees can learn everything