ST. LOUIS, Missouri (July 1, 2016) – The National Wood Flooring Association has launched NWFA University, its new educational training program.

NWFA University is an on-line learning platform
designed to enhance NWFA’s hands-on training
programs. This e-learning initiative has launched
with more than 50 courses that provide information
and instruction for wood flooring professionals.

“What makes NWFAU a game-changer for our
industry,” says NWFA President & CEO, Michael
Martin, “is that it makes training available when
and where our members want it. The individual
courses are 10-20 minutes in length, so they are
easy to fit into a busy work and family schedule.
A contractor, for example, could easily take a
course, or even two, while waiting for a customer appointment. It brings the training to our members in a way that we’ve never done before.”

Individual courses lead to the earning of digital badges. These badges are an electronic representation of a skill that has been mastered. As badges are earned, they can be combined with hands-on training opportunities to earn NWFA certifications.

Currently, the career path to earn Installation certification from NWFA is available through NWFAU. Sales certification courses currently are available as well, and a Sales certification path will be available within the next few weeks. Additional career paths will be added for Sand & Finish certification, and Inspection certification by the end of the year.

Some of the courses currently available include:

• Board Replacement
• Concrete Moisture Testing
• Controlling Moisture
• Estimates
• Evaluating the Jobsite
• From the Forest to the Floor
• Installation Methods & Considerations
• Installation Safety
• Nail Down
• Patterned Floor Layout
• Wood Flooring Types

“This platform significantly enhances our training opportunities,” says Brett Miller, NWFA VP of Education & Certification. “By providing classroom learning in an on-line format, we will be able to expand the time our students have to develop their hands-on skills during our in-person training classes.”

“The University is an initiative to interest the next generation of wood flooring professionals who grew up with and are familiar with technology solutions,” says Stephanie Owen, NWFA Director of Education. “In such a competitive industry, professionals need something that sets them apart from their competition. NWFAU is that resource.”

More information about the NWFA University is available at www.nwfa.org/nwfa-university.aspx.

The National Wood Flooring Association is a not-for-profit trade organization, with more than 3,100 member companies world-wide, dedicated to educating consumers, architects, designers, specifiers and builders in the uses and benefits of wood flooring. The NWFA is located at 111 Chesterfield Industrial Boulevard, Chesterfield, MO 63005, and can be contacted at 800.422.4556 (USA & Canada), 636.519.9663 (local and international), or at www.nwfa.org.