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The National Flooring Contractors Apprenticeship Program (NFCAP), launched officially in 2020, offers an apprenticeship agenda registered with the Department of Labor. Bostik contributes to our industry by offering state-of-the-art training via this highly professional program.

The National Flooring Contractors Apprenticeship Program (NFCAP), launched officially in 2020, offers an apprenticeship agenda registered with the Department of Labor. Its goal is to set standards within the flooring industry by training a new generation of flooring tradesmen, who ultimately become professionally certified. Connected to three national vocational schools (Job Corps, YouthBuild and Big Picture Learning), NFCAP now has access to over 200 campuses nationwide. This strong outreach offers students anywhere within the country the opportunity to receive high-level training. Students receive a certified 8-week pre-apprenticeship training program to identify committed prospects that want to join the flooring apprenticeship.

Partnering has been established with Certified Flooring Installers (CFI), the National Association of Floor Covering Technicians (NAFCT), the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), and the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) to assist in placing the apprentices and continue training. Via this training course, seasoned employers have the opportunity to hire tradesmen with the highest standards of training.
NFCAP is the brainchild of 32-year-old Carlos Mongalo. He grew up in Miami, helping his father at the family's flooring installation firm before going to undergraduate in San Francisco, and then graduate school in Miami where he ultimately received his MBA. "Early on in life, I learned about the flooring installation business while helping my dad," Mongalo stated. "Since graduate school, I wanted to get into nonprofit work to initiate economic development projects in low-income communities. And when I found out that the flooring industry had a national labor shortage crisis, it was the perfect initiative with the support of LL Flooring and Bostik to present the flooring trade to the next generation through an apprenticeship program offering training by top professionals anywhere within the country?

"We understand each company has a distinct corporate culture, so we tailor each company’s training curriculum in accordance with their unique standards," continued Mongalo. “Our comprehensive programs discipline apprentices to professionally represent specific companies while working for their customers. NFCAP managers work closely with each company to ensure that apprentices receive the proper training both online and in the classroom. Curriculums focus on the technicality of flooring material, skill sets for different installation methods, and customer service management. Ultimately, when apprentices complete this 3-to-4-year program, they receive official certification from the Department of Labor. The primary NFCAP goal is to train apprentices to develop a professional corporate attitude, giving clients the best possible experiences," Mongalo stated.
According to Robert Williams, National Sales Manager/National Accounts at Bostik USA, “Like most all construction material suppliers, the flooring industry has experienced a shortage of professional installers, especially regarding 'new breed' younger workers. Bostik is always on the lookout to aid in apprenticeship training programs. And we see this opportunity to partner with NFCAP as being a total win-win situation. Why? Because by assisting the National Job Corps Association, an extension of the Department of Labor (which has over 110 locations nationwide), we can contribute to our industry by offering state-of-the-art training via these highly professional programs throughout the country. Bostik has always believed in contributing to our industry, and working with NFCAP represents an excellent opportunity for all involved,” Williams concluded.
About Bostik, an Arkema company 

Bostik, a subsidiary of the Arkema Group and a global player in specialty adhesives for the construction, consumer and industrial markets, develops innovative and multifunctional sealing and bonding solutions that have been shaping our daily lives for over 130 years. With an annual sales of 2.1 billion euros in 2019 and a presence in more than 40 countries 6,000 employees, the company is committed to meeting the major ecological, energy and technological challenges through its innovations. It is focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence to meet the expectations of its customers and partners. www.bostik.com .  

About Arkema

Building on its unique set of expertise in materials science, Arkema offers a world-leading technology portfolio to address ever-growing demand for new and sustainable materials. With the ambition to become in 2024 a pure player in Specialty Materials, the Group is structured into three complementary, resilient and highly innovative segments dedicated to Specialty Materials – Adhesive Solutions, Advanced Materials and Coating Solutions – accounting for some 80% of Group sales, and a well-positioned and competitive Intermediates segment. Arkema offers cutting-edge technological solutions to meet the challenges of, inter alia, new energies, access to water, recycling, urbanization and mobility, and fosters a permanent dialogue with all its stakeholders. The Group reported sales of €8.7 billion in 2019, and operates in some 55 countries with 20,500 employees worldwide. www.arkema.com. 

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