Education · 1 of 5

The path

Learned on the job. Nobody starts this trade in a classroom.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Useful but not always required. A driver's license matters more to most employers.

2. 2

   Get on as a helper

   First months

   Call flooring contractors directly. The job is carrying rolls, tearing out old floor and cleaning up while you watch the installers.

3. 3

   Learn to cut and seam

   1 to 2 years

   Carpet seaming, vinyl welding, laminate and wood layout, subfloor preparation. This is where the skill is and where the money starts.

4. 4

   Registered apprenticeship, if you can get one

   3 to 4 years

   Union floor coverer apprenticeships pair paid work with classroom hours and step your wage up on a schedule. They usually run three to four years.

5. 5

   Certify or go out on your own

   After your hours

   Industry certification through a training alliance or a contractor association, then either a senior installer role or your own crew.