From young women who want to choose a career in construction and women who already work in the industry to those returning to work following a break, a career in flooring or the wider construction industry offers a multitude of benefits. The good news is, from an industry perspective, that we are starting to see women coming through the ranks to take their place among the best of our UK industrial flooring installers. 

In June 2024, Lauren Watson, our only female apprentice installer, graduates with the FeRFA NVQ Level 2 Diploma in in-situ Resin Flooring and Specialist Surface Preparation. Lauren will be the first-ever female to graduate through the scheme, having decided to transfer from her role as an administration assistant at TPS360 to a site-based position as a labourer. In our capacity as FeRFA training ambassadors, TPS360 were able to support Lauren in obtaining the apprenticeship she would need to develop this career path.   

The organisation from which Lauren will receive her certificate, the Resin Flooring Association, otherwise known as FeRFA, is a not-for-profit organisation representing the leading manufacturers, specialist contractors and associated companies involved in industrial and commercial resin flooring, screeding and surface preparation. FeRFA’s National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) Diplomas have been running successfully since 2006.  

FeRFA endorses and actively promotes qualifying and upskilling the workforce through the provision of NVQ/SVQs, SAPs and other courses, which exerts a wholly positive effect on the UK industrial flooring sector. FeRFA members are then employing highly trained and qualified operatives with extensive experience in their specialist field. As you can imagine, the graduation of our first female installer is a significant milestone in our company’s history as well as the history of industrial flooring in South Wales and the UK as a whole. 

Gaining certification with FeRFA is a straightforward process, however, it does require candidates to be working in the commercial and industrial flooring sector already, as the qualifications FeRFA offers are vocational, to increase the skill levels of those already working in the sector. Two of the main qualifications available are the NVQ Level 2, which Lauren will be receiving in June, and the NVQ Level 3. 

The NVQ Level 2 Diploma in in-situ Resin Flooring and Specialist Surface Preparation provides a route for unskilled employees to gain an industry-wide recognised NVQ Level 2 for the CSCS blue Skilled Worker card.   

The NVQ Level 3 in Occupational Work Supervision provides an opportunity for people currently working in a relevant construction discipline to obtain an industry-recognised qualification that demonstrates their achieved levels of competence.  

Candidates who achieve the NVQ L3 Diploma Occupational Works Supervisor qualification can apply for the CSCS Gold Supervisor Card and will need to pass the CSCS Supervisor Health, Safety & Environment Test.  

So why is a career in construction an ideal choice for women? 

You’ll never be out of a job.  

Construction is one of the main driving forces behind the UK economy, employing over three million people – nearly 10% of the entire workforce. Ironically, although the industry is growing fast it’s also suffering from a skills shortage at the same time! This is a great time for women to take advantage of these skills shortages and make themselves indispensable! 

As a woman entering the UK industrial and commercial flooring sector, you will be in the minority, but don’t let that deter you, as women make up around 14% of construction industry professionals, and this number is only set to rise. There are now thousands of exceptionally talented female construction workers and plenty of room for career progression and skill development. 

You’ll have an opportunity to make an impact on the community  

Construction is such a massive part of our economy that we’ll always need skilled flooring specialists to provide the finishing touches on public and private buildings. Your work will have a direct effect on helping to improve the quality of life for thousands of people and their communities and there aren’t many other jobs that will give you that sense of job satisfaction every day. You’ll be able to take pride in your finished work as a skilled flooring specialist and see it being used by the community. A career with TPS360 could see you installing anything from resin car park decking or warehouse flooring to the glossy, polished concrete floor of a hotel lobby or a concert hall.  

You’ll Earn a Good Salary  

A career in the flooring sector offers many opportunities to earn more cash as you increase your experience and range of skills. If you are a school leaver considering your options you might not be too excited at the price tag of a university degree, not to mention the prospect of a huge debt hanging over you for the rest of your working life. Rest assured that the flooring sector can offer you an alternative path with career progression to supervision and management. Another benefit of working in the flooring sector is that if you work hard, learn your trade and save some money, you can become self-employed and even start your firm! 

Historically, in construction, there was a disparity between what women were paid and what men were paid, however, at TPS360, we refuse to work like this. Our FeRFA courses, apprenticeships and in-house training schemes help all of our employees move forward as the industry progresses and improve their prospects. That’s why we encourage more women to enter the industry and prove their worth! 

You’ll have opportunities to travel and work abroad 

Following a career in industrial flooring in South Wales or in our Tamworth base, you’ll find yourself working on projects across the entire UK. You’ll also find that this kind of work allows you the flexibility to travel where the money and possibilities are as many countries recognise the UK’s National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs). This means that after gaining experience and related qualifications in the UK you’ll not only have the security of a skilled trade but if you wanted to, you could step into a well-paid job abroad.  

Please get in touch with us if you are interested in starting a career in industrial flooring in South Wales or the Midlands as we are always on the lookout for responsible, hardworking individuals who are out to make a difference across the UK and beyond!