Career Categories Below this heading you will see a row of icons and names. This navigation allows you to view all the careers within a single category. When you choose a different category it will become highlighted.

Return to Career Journey By clicking the Return to Career Journey button you will be taken back to the start of this journey so you may make different choices and discover new career opportunities.

Floorcovering Installer Directly to the left of this help icon you will see this work indoors icon that represents where Floorcovering Installer work most of the time. If the person in the icon is standing outside the building then the work is mostly outside. A person inside respresents mostly insde work and two people (one inside and one outside) represent the work has a bit of both. By clicking the Details buttons to the left will open the page and allow you to read more about becoming a Floorcovering Installer. After you have spent some time reading and you would like to find out what schools are offering training for Floorcovering Installer click the Yes, use this career in my Journey button.

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Interior and Exterior Construction

Floorcovering Installer

work indoors

Floorcovering installers install, repair, and replace resilient floorcovering materials such as underlayment, carpet, sheet goods (vinyl, for example), and tile in commercial, residential, and industrial buildings. They also may install wall coverings made of carpet or vinyl.

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  • Related School SubjectsDetails

    Math; English; Shop; Physical Education

  • Field of StudyDetails

    Floorcovering installers are employed by floorcovering retail outlets, contractors, and installation companies.

    In Alberta, 88% of people employed as floorcovering installers work in the following industries:

    • Construction.
    • Retail Trade.
  • DutiesDetails

    Floorcovering Installers:

    • Read blueprints and drawings.
    • Inspect surfaces and get them ready for carpet, tile, etc.
    • Decide where to place seams or joints.
    • Estimate the quantity of material required.
    • Measure and cut floorcovering materials .
    • Lay and tack down or glue a foam or rubber pad over floors to be carpeted.
    • Sew carpet seams together or use special heat tape to join carpet pieces.
    • Stretch carpet and glue it to the floor.
    • Install linoleum and other materials using glue.
    • Match and insert pieces of material in damaged areas.
    • Remove or replace wall trim after flooring repair.
    • Cover stairs with carpet, etc.
    • Talk to customers about their flooring work.
  • Working ConditionsDetails

    Location:

    • Indoors
      • New construction.
      • Renovation construction.
    • Outdoors
      • No.

    Hours:

    • Flexible hours.
    • Regular Work Schedule (Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm).
    • May need to work evenings or weekends.
    • May need to work overtime to meet deadlines.

    Heavy Lifting:

    • 20 kilograms and heavier.
  • PersonalDetails

    People working in this trade need the following characteristics:

    • Physical strength and stamina.
    • Good colour vision to match colours.
    • Good customer service skills.
    • Works well with others.
    • Enjoy working with hands.
    • Enjoy learning specialized skills.
    • Enjoy working alone.
    • Able to work without supervision.
  • EducationDetails

    Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.

    To work in this trade in Alberta, at least ONE of these must be true:

    • You are a registered apprentice.
    • You are an Alberta-certified journeyperson.
    • You have a recognized related trade certificate.
    • Your employer believes your skills and knowledge are the same as a journeyperson.
    • You are self-employed in this trade.

    To register as an Alberta apprentice you need to have:

    • English Language Arts 10-2 or equivalent.
    • Math 10-3 or equivalent.
    • or able to pass the entrance exam.
    • An employer willing to train you.
    • If you have training or work experience in this trade it may count towards your certification.

    Apprenticeship term:

    • Work on your first year in grade 10-12 through the Registered Apprenticeship Program.
    • 2 years.
    • 1500 work hours each year.
    • 7 weeks classroom training each year.
    • May take exam in final year to earn Red Seal and work throughout most of Canada.

    You are required to have your own tools

  • Programs OfferedDetails

    Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at:

    For more information, visit the Technical Training Centre on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website.

  • AdvancementDetails

    Job Opportunities in this trade include:

    • Sales positions.
    • Customer relations.
    • Self-employed with own store.
    • Self-employed as installer.
    • Management or supervisory positions.
    • If you have supervisory or management experience in this trade, you may apply for an Achievement in Business Competencies Blue Seal by contacting Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

    Job openings are affected by:

    • Current employment rates.
    • People leaving existing positions.
    • Creation of new positions that never existed before.
    • Size of the occupation.
    • Location in Alberta.

    Future Trends:

    • More than 4,100 Albertans work in this category.
    • Expect an annual below average growth of 1.9% from 2013 to 2017.
    • Forecast about 78 new positions created each year.
    • Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
  • SalaryDetails

    Journeyperson wage rates vary but generally range from $35 to $50 an hour plus benefits (2014 estimates). Top wage earners can make in excess of $100,000 per year.

    According to the 2013 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in this occupational group earned on average from $17.10 to $29.89 an hour. The overall average wage for this group was $23.46 an hour.

  • Other SourcesDetails