The wood flooring industry has been significantly impacted by the loss of knowledgeable employees due to retirement or attrition over the past few years across all industry sectors, from manufacturing to installation. Some companies managed to mitigate this loss by identifying, hiring and training new employees while the institutional knowledge remained active in the workforce. However, others did not, leading to a significant internal void.
Problem-solving is fundamental to any job, and the wood flooring industry is no exception. However, for many new employees, acquiring the necessary background information to be effective problem-solvers can take time and effort. This lack of preparedness often leads to burnout and turnover, highlighting the need for training and access to industry knowledge.
As a technically focused consultant serving the wood products industry, my associates and I regularly encounter complex problems with our clients. A solid understanding of manufacturing processes, raw material attributes, measurement techniques, installation methods, and other elements is crucial to solving their problems. Therefore, companies must provide fundamental problem-solving tools and access to existing sources of industry knowledge for new or inexperienced employees. While it may seem time-consuming, the long-term benefits outweigh the initial costs.
Courses and problem-solving tools are readily available from multiple reputable online resources. Many short courses are also offered in classrooms around the country. Companies must assess the level of training needed for employees depending on their background and role in the company. Providing this training is simple, given the employee's innate desire to learn and apply the tools regularly. Providing technical knowledge can take more work.
Industry trade associations are invaluable resources when planning the training process for new employees. These organizations, such as the National Wood Flooring Association, offer technical training opportunities across various disciplines of the wood flooring industry. Similarly, groups like the National Hardwood Lumber Association and Decorative Hardwoods Association provide training and print resources that apply to the solid and engineered hardwood flooring industry. Leveraging these resources is a strategic way to ensure comprehensive and effective training.
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Often, it is critical to possess a deeper understanding than what introductory training seminars can provide. For example, basic wood floor training may teach that wood is water-loving and that wood flooring defects can occur when moisture is exposed. However, understanding why wood is a hydrophobic material in combination with wood anatomy can be much more potent in assessing and remediating issues, developing new wood products and systems, and selling the benefits of performance attributes. Training on specialized topics is more challenging, but it does exist, offering a pathway for continuous growth and development.
When armed with the tools to assess and solve problems and proper training, companies provide two critical elements in building the next generation of institutional knowledge. Combining this with developing soft skills and experience, our industry will prosper.
