Continuing education for employees, as a means to better serve customers, has long been a pillar of H.J. Martin’s business model.  Company installers recently have completed a trio of diverse certification programs to tangibly strengthen their skill sets.

“We believe strongly in staying on top of the latest trends in the industries we serve,” says H.J. Martin CEO Edward Martin.  “Giving our people the best training available allows us to provide our customers with the high quality they have come to expect from H.J. Martin.”

Two H.J. Martin installers trained at the nora Technical Academy in February, and were among the 19 flooring professionals graduated from the three-day program.  Participants learned about the newest installation techniques, the latest industry standards (including new moisture testing methods and equipment) and sub-floor preparations.

The program’s most valuable benefit is its one-on-one instruction with attendees, according to Technical Academy instructor Marc Ilgenfritz.  “They get a feel for our flooring and can experience how it installs in a setting where they can experiment with the material without consequence,” Ilgenfritz says.  “It has also effectively reduced the amount of installation mistakes on job sites.”

Program graduates become a nora Approved Installer once they have successfully completed each aspect of nora installation, including: Cutting In, Seam Cutting, Stairtreads, Sanitary Base, Heat Weld, Cold Weld, Flash Coving, nora dryfix and Adhesive Methods.

A manufacturer of sustainable rubber floors, the U.S. headquarters for nora are in Salem, N.H.

Two additional installers from the company will be participating in the nora training program in November of this year, according to Rachel Weber, a project coordinator/interior designer at H.J. Martin.

Also in February, a pair of H.J. Martin installers completed the Forbo Associate Mechanic training, held in Dallas, making them eligible for the Master Mechanic program.

Forbo manufactures high-quality commercial and residential floor coverings worldwide.  The company focuses on environmentally friendly, functional and design-oriented floors.

Open only to those with a minimum of four years’ experience in the installation of resilient flooring products, the Forbo Associate Mechanic program covered job-site condition requirements, standard floor preparation, moisture testing, adhesive knowledge, installation of Marmoleum sheet and tile products, basic heat-welding techniques and base floor-care procedures.

Most recently, H.J. Martin began working with the International Standards & Training Alliance (INSTALL) to provide continuing education to its staff.  INSTALL Certified Contractors are recognized throughout the construction industry as skilled and dependable flooring professionals, along with being able to provide an additional INSTALL Warranty on Labor.

Ten installers from H.J. Martin received INSTALL certification in sheet vinyl in late March.  Five earned INSTALL certifications in carpet in April of this year.

The INSTALL Certification Program creates a set of standards, allowing flooring manufacturers and customers to quickly identify skilled and productive installers who complete work quickly and correctly.  A primary goal of the initiative is to eliminate faulty floorcovering installations across the United States and Canada.

INSTALL courses are based on counsel from technical representatives of major flooring manufacturers located in North America., along with the makers of flooring installation tools and materials.  More than 100 veteran instructors stay current on the latest industry trends through a rigorous “train-the-trainer” program.

“We will continue to explore training opportunities that make our people even better than they already are,” says Weber.