Western Piedmont Community College Launches Basic Floor Covering Installation Program to Build Skilled Workforce in North Carolina
Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC), in partnership with the Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF), is proud to promote the launch of its Basic Floor Covering Installation Program, a hands-on training opportunity designed to prepare students for in-demand careers in the floor covering industry. As one of the first colleges in North Carolina to offer this program, WPCC is helping address workforce needs while opening pathways to rewarding skilled trades careers.
WPCC’s opening course provides combined instruction in hardwood and resilient flooring, giving students practical, job-ready experience through 150 contact hours of training. The course begins July 13 and runs through November 6, 2026, and is held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at WPCC’s Regional Skilled Trades Solution Center, located on the main campus at 1001 Burkemont Avenue, Morganton, NC 28655.
Through the Basic Floor Covering Installation Program, students receive hands-on instruction rooted in industry standards, learning essential skills in surface preparation, layout, material handling, installation techniques, safety, and professional jobsite practices. The program is designed to help graduates enter the workforce with foundational experience and the confidence to begin careers as advanced helpers and apprentices in the flooring trade.
“WPCC’s Regional Skilled Trades Solution Center was established to serve our student population with programs that lead to in-demand jobs and careers in skilled trades. Local and regional flooring industries need trained flooring installers now to fill a skills gap in trained installers,” Dean of Business & Technologies Jonathan Crumpler said. “The new program in Flooring installation will provide these skills in a matter of months, not years, and students can serve industry demand locally and across our region.”
The Basic Floor Covering Installation Program is part of a growing national effort led by FCEF to expand awareness of flooring careers and strengthen the pipeline of trained installers. Graduates of the program offer employers immediate value, bringing practical exposure and structured training that can help businesses scale their workforce and grow the next generation of craftspeople.
Contractors and employers are encouraged to connect with WPCC and FCEF to learn more about hiring program graduates and supporting workforce development efforts in the region.
Course registration is now open at wpcc.edu/continuing-ed. Individuals interested in exploring a career in floor covering installation are encouraged to apply early, as space is limited to 10 students. Students may be eligible for scholarships to cover the cost of tuition and fees by applying at flooryourfuture.com, where eligibility requirements and application details are provided.
About the Floor Covering Education Foundation:
The Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) is a nonprofit organization committed to recruiting, training, and supporting the next generation of flooring professionals through education, scholarships, and industry partnerships.
Published: 05/12/2026