Recap: 2025 Apprenticeship & Partnership Showcase

On Wednesday, May 21, we hosted the first-ever Apprenticeship & Partnership Showcase at the Floor Covering JATC Training Center — a standout event made possible by the Socal Floor Layers Labor Management Cooperation Committee (LMCC).

With over 50 attendees, including manufacturers, contractors, union leaders, and educators, the energy and enthusiasm made one thing clear: there’s strong interest in building deeper partnerships and better understanding the workforce training pipeline.

A First-of-Its-Kind Event — and a Turning Point

This wasn’t just an open house — it was a rare, inside look at how the apprenticeship program truly works.

A highlight came from Instructor Sean Padilla, who walked attendees through the structured training approach — covering safety, product knowledge, hands-on technique, and more. Many were surprised by the program’s rigor and professionalism:

“I had no idea how much training the apprentices have to go through — this is a serious, high-level program.” – Charles Dickey, Shaw Contract

Why It Matters — and What’s Next

Events like this are more than a showcase — they’re a step toward stronger partnerships and smarter workforce development.

Guests saw firsthand how the Floor Covering JATC is producing job-ready, union-trained professionals with the skills, safety standards, and craftsmanship manufacturers depend on. When labor and manufacturers align, everyone benefits — installs are cleaner, brands are represented well, and customers get the results they expect.

With 60+ years of history and the largest training center of its kind on the West Coast, we’re laying the groundwork for the future of floor covering — together.

5 Key Takeaways from the Showcase

Several important ideas emerged from the event, and follow-up conversations have already started. Here are five key priorities being explored by the LMCC and JATC:

1. Manufacturer Installation Guidelines
   Creating a centralized catalog of manufacturer installation guidelines that aligns with the JATC curriculum — helping ensure training meets or exceeds industry standards like ASTM F710.

2. Manufacturer Donations
   Building a system to track and coordinate donations, giving visibility to who is contributing tools, products, and support to the training center.

3. New Product Demos & Donations
   Creating ongoing opportunities for manufacturers to showcase new products and innovations through live demonstrations and product contributions.

4. Continuing Education for Journeymen
   Launching certification and continuing education programs, sponsored in collaboration with the LMCC and manufacturers, to keep journeymen up to date on evolving product standards.

5. Technical Support Partnerships
   Hosting an Apprenticeship Symposium for manufacturer tech support teams to engage directly with JATC instructors and identify ways to align training with real-world product applications.

Backed by Industry, Built on Partnership

This event was made possible through the support of the LMCC, a joint effort between labor and management committed to strengthening the flooring industry through collaboration, training, and innovation.

Attendees enjoyed Porto’s Bakery pastries, fresh Starbucks coffee, and casual networking during registration before diving into hands-on demos and facility tours — capped off with a delicious on-site wood-fired pizza lunch.

"This event shows what's possible when labor and management work together. It’s a model for the rest of the industry." – Matt Weir, Labor Co-Chair

Let’s Partner Up

Interested in product training, material / product donations, or future events?

We’d love to connect.

👉 sean@dc36jatc.org

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @floorcoveringjatc

We’re not just laying floors — we’re laying the foundation for a stronger industry.