You can apply for a place on a Floorlayer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This can take up to 3 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and off-site study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

You could apply directly to work as a carpet fitter and floor layer.

Employers will expect you to:

• have practical skills
• be good with numbers for making measurements and working out quantities
• have good customer service skills, especially for working in people's homes

You could take a training course through a professional industry body like the Flooring Industry Training Association or the Contract Flooring Association.

This may help you to find work as a trainee with a carpet fitting and floor laying company.

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to work well with your hands
• customer service skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to work on your own
• knowledge of maths
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You may need a driving licence for some jobs.

As a carpet fitter or floor layer, you'll:

• measure floor space to be covered and estimate the materials needed
• remove old flooring and prepare the work area
• fit underlay, carpets, tiles, vinyl or wooden flooring
• spray floor coverings with protective coatings
• put furniture back and trim and re-hang doors if removed
• follow safety guidelines when working with glues, solvents and other chemicals

You could work at a client's home or at a client's business.

Your working environment may be physically demanding.

You may need to wear protective clothing.