Newfurn developing tomorrow’s industry workforce
Newfurn Floorcoverings Ltd (Newfurn), parent company to brands such as Choices Flooring and Style Flooring and Interiors, has just launched their own enterprise Registered Training Organisation (RTO) trading as Chillingworth Training Institute – CTI (Academic & Vocational Training Pty Ltd, RTO 91070), to combat the growing need for skilled labour in the retail flooring covering industry.
The CTI is a direct response by Newfurn to meet the increasing demand for retail floor covering and installation services within Australia. It’s the nations steady demand growth that means consumers currently must wait up to two-months after purchasing their flooring to have it installed and with commencements of trade apprenticeships as a whole declining, it was clear, action had to be taken to turn these trends around.
The CTI will work hand in hand with their corporate branded Newfurn Training Academy (NTA) which delivers an Industry Trade Card accreditation for experienced flooring installers, through its Master Class professional development training seminars for flooring installers. The NTA also delivers in house training for member retailers and partners in roles such as sales consultants, store owners and support staff.
Upon launch, Newfurn CEO, Mr Andrew Lewis stated,
“The aim of this revolutionary new program is to produce job ready professional flooring craftspeople who will become the next generation of leaders in the flooring industry. To achieve this, Newfurn also needed to become a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) to ensure innovation in delivery and compliance went hand in hand, without being diluted by third party providers.”
The CTI is Newfurn’s enterprise RTO providing Nationally accredited trade qualifications for the floor covering industry. The RTOs suite of training programs include MSF30818 Certificate III in Flooring Technology and in 2023, MSF31018 – Certificate III in Interior Decoration Retail Services, along with other accredited programs in transport and logistics.
The cornerstone to Newfurn’s training model is their state-of-the-art learning management system (LMS) software, Digido, which delivers contemporary hybrid learning of underpinning skills and knowledge as
a personalised experience for individuals. Digido’s interactive software, blends real on the job learning with propositional on-line teaching, through its unique hybrid platform. The outcome provides apprentices and learners with robust individual learning experience through “anytime, anywhere, any device” learning.
Newfurn recognised that no matter how many tools or processes are in place, the success of any good training organisation comes down to the knowledge and expertise of the trainers themselves. As such, Newfurn employed several well-respected full-time industry-based trainers to lead their training and deliver their years of collective knowledge and consulting experience to students entering the flooring industry.
Furthermore, with the assistance of Newfurn’s Alliance Partners, the NTA has access to the best specialist trainers in the flooring industry as well as the latest information on product developments, installation techniques and industry trends to ensure that professional development is always of the highest standard.
Because of collaborative alliances with their partners, many being major Australian and International flooring manufacturers and distributors, Newfurn is in a unique position of providing high level robust Industry credentialling. This unique partnership combines nationally accredited, and industry led training with the best flooring industry experts, drawing on the most current product developments, installation techniques and industry practices to the highest standards.
This is captured by their innovative Digido hybrid model, assessing apprentices’ engagement in real life Community based residential flooring projects. Their Industry apprentices and learners practice their learning in real community flooring installations under the supervision of their Alliance Partners and Industry Assessors. The model is blended with this online learning platform with face-to-face online classes, workshops, and tutorials.
For more information on the CTI or to become an apprentice, please visit ctitraining.com.au
