INSTALL Supports Professional Development Through Certified Installation Manager (CIM) Program Scholarship

INSTALL, in support of FCICA, the Flooring Contractors Association, has launched the 2016 INSTALL Certified Installation Manager (CIM) Program Scholarship and is now accepting applications.

Now in its second year and developed to support installation managers’ continuing training and professional development, the scholarship will benefit one deserving candidate. The $1,225 scholarship provides the opportunity for a floorcovering professional to enroll in and successfully complete the CIM training. Winners will be announced on December 14, 2016.

Criteria on which applicants will be judged upon in this scholarship program include:

  • Employer needs to be an INSTALL contractor
  • Membership status and INSTALL certifications held by the applicant
  • Reason for requesting the training

“INSTALL strives to produce some of the best floorcovering professionals,” said Tom Lutz, Michigan director of INSTALL.
“If installation managers aren’t well-trained, then the value of the installation decreases. The CIM Program helps ensure professional training is brought to managers, making companies better and more efficient,” Lutz added.

Mike Pinkstaff, project manager at American Flooring Installers (AFI) was the winner of the CIM Scholarship last year and emphasized how the program developed his skills in handling tough job site conditions, budgets, claims and job estimation.

Pinkstaff added, “The program shaped my organizational skills and taught me how to use different tools to better communicate with the installers. Upon completion of the training I was able to run jobs more smoothly, especially large projects. It has really helped me coordinate man power more efficiently.”

Lutz stresses the importance of the program. “The CIM Program brings structured manager training to one place, which has not been available in the flooring industry before. In order to elevate the industry, we must not only have well trained installers, but also well trained managers.”

Judges for the scholarship program include John McGrath, Director of INSTALL, Tom Lutz, INSTALL Michigan and Kelly Fuller, FCICA.