National Apprenticeship Week Q&A: Felicity Allison

This week (10^th – 14^th February) is National Apprenticeship week, so we caught up with one of our current resin flooring trainees – Felicity Allison – to find out what her experiences have been as an apprentice with us so far.

What made you choose floor laying as a career path? 

I’ve always known I wanted to do hands-on work rather than sitting at a desk all day. Flooring stood out because it’s a trade where you can see the results of your work immediately, and there’s always something new to learn.

How did you find out about the apprenticeship scheme with John Lord?

A family friend in the flooring industry mentioned the demand for skilled floor layers, so I looked into apprenticeships and found this opportunity.  John Lord has an amazing and solid reputation within the flooring industry, so I was really pleased to get on to their scheme.

What does a typical day look like for you on-site?

Every day starts with setting up tools and checking materials. Depending on the job, we might be removing old flooring, preparing subfloors, or installing new surfaces like carpet tiles, vinyl, or safety flooring. There’s always a mix of tasks, and every day is different, which keeps things interesting.

What types of projects have you worked on so far?

I’ve worked in residential buildings, schools, offices, and even hospitals. Each project has different requirements—for example, hospitals need hygienic, easy-to-clean flooring, while offices focus more on how the flooring looks and its durability.

How does classroom training complement your hands-on work?

The classroom training helps explain why we do things a certain way—like the science behind adhesives, how moisture levels affect subfloors, and different installation techniques. It makes the site work easier because I understand the reasoning behind each step.

What was the most challenging skill to learn in the beginning?

Cutting and fitting flooring for corners and around obstacles was tricky at first, you have to make sure the patterns look seamless. With practice, I’ve developed better accuracy and confidence.

How has this apprenticeship changed your view of the flooring industry?

Before starting, I didn’t realize how much planning and skill go into floor laying. It’s not just about laying any type of flooring, it has to be the right type for durability, safety, and looks. I now see how important the right type of flooring is in commercial and residential spaces.

What do you think are the most important qualities for a good apprentice?

A good flooring apprentice definitely needs to be hardworking, willing to learn, and detail-oriented.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about an apprenticeship?

Take pride in your work, the more effort you put in, the more skills you’ll gain.

What has been your proudest moment on the job so far?

Seeing a completed floor that I helped install in a residential space, and how much the tenant appreciated is always a great experience, it makes you feel pride for your work.

Where do you see yourself in five years within the industry?

I hope to become a qualified floor layer with the skills to lead my own team at John Lord. I’d love to eventually be training new apprentices.