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Apprenticeship

Floorcovering Installer

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

Also Known As

Carpet Layer

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 7295: Floor Covering Installers

2006 NOC-S

  • H145: Floor Covering Installers

2011 NOC

  • 7295: Floor covering installers

2016 NOC

  • 7295: Floor covering installers

2021 NOC

  • 73113: Floor covering installers

2023 OaSIS

  • 73113.00: Floor covering installers
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Working from blueprints or verbal instructions, floorcovering installers inspect and prepare substrates for covering and determine where to place seams or joints. From there they:

  • Estimate the quantity of material required
  • Measure and cut floorcovering materials to fit around permanent obstructions
  • 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 fasten it with a tackless strip around the perimeter of the room or by gluing it to the floor
  • Install sheet goods and resilient tile by applying adhesive to the substrate, laying the covering and rolling it with a roller
  • Match and insert pieces of material in damaged areas
  • Remove or replace baseboard moulding as required
  • Cover stairs with carpet or stair covering material

Floorcovering installers also may respond to customer questions or concerns at the worksite.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Strength Required Lift over 20 kg

Floorcovering installers work indoors in a wide variety of settings. They work a 40-hour, 5-day week with some overtime required to meet construction deadlines. Renovating or decorating premises already in use may require working at night.

Floorcovering installers may be required to lift and move items that weigh over 25 kilograms.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Floor Covering Installers

2006 NOC: 7295

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
METHODICAL

Interest in computing to estimate costs for material and labour

OBJECTIVE

Interest in operating hand and machine stitchers, staple guns and seaming irons and in using bonding tape and bonding materials to install carpeting; and in operating power stretchers and other devices to stretch carpeting

innovative

Interest in speaking with customers and other workers to inspect and repair damaged floor coverings and to inspect, measure and mark surfaces to be covered

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Floorcovering installers need:

  • Strength and stamina
  • Good colour vision to match colours
  • The ability to be polite and tactful with customers and get along with others

They should enjoy working with their hands, developing specialized skills and performing tasks with little direction or supervision.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Floor covering installers

2016 NOC: 7295

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 165 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Oct 22, 2023 and Oct 15, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Inspect, measure and mark surfaces to be covered
Tasks: Measure, cut and fasten underlay and underpadding
Tasks: Inspect and repair damaged floor coverings
Tasks: Measure, cut and install resilient floor coverings
Tasks: Prepare and install hardwood floors
Tasks: Prepare floors for installations
Tasks: Remove existing floor coverings and contaminants
Tasks: Measure, cut and install carpeting on floors
Work Setting: Various locations
Handling heavy loads
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Minimum Education Apprenticeship

To work in Alberta, a floorcovering installer must be ONE of the following:

  • A registered apprentice
  • An Alberta-certified journeyperson
  • Someone who holds a recognized related trade certificate
  • Someone who works for an employer who is satisfied that the worker has the skills and knowledge expected of certified journeyperson
  • Self-employed

To register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, apprentices must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train them. They must also meet ONE of the following:

  • Have an Alberta high school transcript with at least English Language Arts 10-2, Math 10-3, or equivalent
  • Have a pass mark in all 5 Canadian General Educational Development (GED) tests
  • Pass an entrance exam

Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.

The term of apprenticeship is 2 years (two 12-month periods) that include a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job training and 7 weeks of classroom instruction each year.

High school students can earn credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Applicants who have related training or work experience may be eligible for admission, credit, or certification. Credits may reduce the period of apprenticeship.

Apprentices are required to provide their own tools.

Floorcovering installer apprentices may take the interprovincial exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training to earn a Red Seal (certification recognized in most parts of Canada).

Classroom instruction is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. For more information, see the Apprenticeship Training Catalogue.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Apprenticeship Trades

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Certification Provincially Regulated

Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.

The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.

Floorcovering Installer

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. For more information, see the Designated Trades Profile section of Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.

Legislation

Under Alberta’s Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act [pdf], you do not have to be certified if you are self-employed or work for an employer who is satisfied that you have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. To learn the trade, you must become a registered apprentice.

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Floorcovering Installer.

Additional Information

Certified tradespeople who want to build their business skills may obtain an Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Certificate from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2020

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

Experienced floorcovering installers may advance to supervisory positions, move into sales or customer relations, or contract out their services. Some set up their own retail businesses.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Floor covering installers
2016 NOC: 7295

81.8% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Floor covering installers
2021 NOC: 73113
Medium
Demand
2,700
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Floor covering installers
2016 NOC: 7295
2.4%
Annual Growth
(Average)
67
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Sep 29, 2022

Journeyperson wage rates vary but generally range from $35 to $50 an hour (2019 estimates). Top wage earners can make in excess of $100,000 per year.

Apprentice floorcovering installers start with minimum wage but receive higher pay as training progresses. 

Floorcovering installers are part of the larger 2016 National Occupational Classification 7295: Floor covering installers.

According to the 2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Floor covering installers occupational group earned on average up to $35.62 an hour. The overall average was $28.36 an hour. For more information, see the Floor covering installers wage profile.

As of June 26, 2019, the minimum wage in Alberta is $15.00 per hour for most workers. For more information, see Minimum Wage.

Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Trades, Industrial and Related Training
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca

BuildForce Canada website: www.buildforce.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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