With more than 25 years in the floorcovering industry, Eric Kastner, coordinator at Saint Louis Floor Layers, offers a wealth of industry know-how and experience.
Eric gained a special insight on the value of INSTALL in his years as the instructor of the Bayless High School Floorlayers Middle Apprenticeship Program. This program, started in 2006, is a 2 year program for junior and senior high school students starting them off as an INSTALL apprentice. They learn about INSTALL in a high school setting and are able to work in the field during the summers. Apprenticeship graduates finish with a college degree. Eric says, “I have seen huge turnarounds in attendance, behavior and grades from the kids that participate in this program. It gives them something to strive for.”
Kastner’s main goal is to actively bring others into the floorcovering industry and have as many professionals certified in the INSTALL program as possible. Kastner stated, “I think it’s a great program and has a lot of benefits for contractors and installers alike. It shows that we are top-notch and sets us apart from the rest.”