a serious lack of education, or?

[Mikey P]

or..

Im not sure how to discribe this situation of a carpet cleaner who (must?) be suffering from a lack of work, who thought it would be a good idea to strip a Saltillo floor for an elderly lady who called to complain that she was slipping when coming out of her shower.
Rather than suggesting an are rug or matt, he went to You Tube and watched THIS of all video and thought he could do the same.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvZJwvmKnKE


BEFORE (a perfectly fine Saltillo)


During/after




THIS being using soy strippers, a 5in1 in one scraper and acetone...

NO rinsing with a truckmount or shop vac.

He tried a wood floor machine like "Courtney Lee uses" to rinse but the squeegee couldnt deal with the groutlines and uneven man made tile.



I know this guy and really wish he would have called me insted of going straight to You Tube.


I got a bunch of infrom him and determined his ability to attempt a fix, but sadly, there isnt wiht his skill and equipment.

I told him to stop and find a pro to fix it.

Which will probably take a FULL and proper stripping of the entire floor, which will efffect the walls and woodwork, and cost a small fortune.




So, the point being, when will our industry step up it's game and offer a real indepth educational pathway to success?

 

[FredC]

There is no way to force anyone into an "industry" education system when it comes to tile, carpet, etc* so no matter what there are going to be guys who do this. You might have more educated folks overall but there will be no shortage of folks that don't bother.

This guy, according to you, took a job he had NO (edit)prior experience with after going to youtube university. I can't say for sure but if he asked anywhere he was probably told to walk...

I doubt having a course at the local community college or Pailliotet U would have changed this





*there is no payment gatekeeper like insurance work to require it and there is no "construction" or serious safety concerns going on for it to be regulated by gov

 

[Mikey P]

his guy, according to you, took a job he had NO prior experience with after going to youtube university

 

[FredC]

typo

 

[Mikey P]

but what if the option was available...

 

[Jim Pemberton]

Our industry is dumber than it was in the late 20th Century

I could have you scrolling down your screens with stories of cleaners doing things as bad, or worse, than this story.

I selfishly benefit from the way things are, but still makes me sad.

I see some version of Idiocracy in our industry’s future, and the world's

 

[Jim Pemberton]

There is no way to force anyone into an "industry" education system when it comes to tile, carpet, etc* so no matter what there are going to be guys who do this. You might have more educated folks overall but there will be no shortage of folks that don't bother.

I agree Fred.

This has ever been the problem in our industry, and I see no real answer to this in the near future.

One thing I've watched in the past dozen or so years has been a decline in the credibility of the IICRC.

Their credibility problem started many years ago, before I even became fed up with them and walked, but two things really caused more of a drop in the past couple of years:

1. The management turn over that resulted in a testing backlog disaster. Cleaners who waited several months for test results, including employees who had wage related incentives delayed, became extremely bitter. That has was since handled, but the bitter taste remains with many.

2. The era of "Zoom Classes" that began during the pandemic. With the understanding that much of that was done out of necessity, not all trainers are adept at being entertaining and engaging on a computer screen. This has caused an even greater nosedive in the credibility of "Old Style" IICRC training.

I hope what Mike is trying to do will help.

 

[Mikey P]

I selfishly benefit from the way things are, but still makes me sad.

sad and guilty, for me..

It our genoration's responcibility to do something about it.



Fred is correct, we can't enforce a higher level of UNDERSTANDING, but we should sure offer it.

 

[KevinD]

Our industry is dumber than it was in the late 20th Century

I could have you scrolling down your screens with stories of cleaners doing things as bad, or worse, than this story.

I selfishly benefit from the way things are, but still makes me sad.

I see some version of Idiocracy in our industry’s future, and the world's

Scrolling through social media most posts start with "How do I?"
Seems like today's cleaner, that's their only education.

 

[FredC]

I think most things I can do these days started with somebody saying "Can you do this" and me saying "sure I can" then going away and figuring out htf you do it or learning as I did it.


but I would have turned this down just because it seems like a pita even if it goes well

 

[Mikey P]

Scrolling through social media most posts start with "How do I?"
Seems like today's cleaner, that's their only education.

exactly

 

[Mikey P]

but I would have turned this down just because it seems like a pita even if it goes well

I think I'll havec a Tshirt made up for you with that line on it..

 

[FredC]

I think I'll havec a Tshirt made up for you with that line on it..

lol


and I mean the idea of stripping....which yes I know was his own idea/"professional" recommendation

 

[sassyotto]

Good timing on the subject. Just yesterday my son texted me about having the concrete in his store done. I offered to research local vendors in the area. He said *I can show them a picture of what exactly what I want and they can show me work they have done. Its either they can do it or not*

looks like I have to have a talk with him. This is a good example....

 

[AlienAgent]

Our industry is dumber than it was in the late 20th Century

I could have you scrolling down your screens with stories of cleaners doing things as bad, or worse, than this story.

I selfishly benefit from the way things are, but still makes me sad.

I see some version of Idiocracy in our industry’s future, and the world's

Jim, the phrase “enjoy the decline” changed my life.

Rather than fight it, simply find ways to enjoy and profit from, the nonsense and ineptitude surrounding us.

 

[Cleanworks]

Just because you can go to home Depot, buy a tool belt and a hammer doesn't mean you're a carpenter. I see so many posts on Facebook like, " I want to get into carpet cleaning, should I buy a portable or a 175?". Or "a customer asked me to clean their vinyl floors, should I strip them first". People need how to learn how to do things properly instead of using customers as guinea pigs.

 

[Willy P]

or..

Im not sure how to discribe this situation of a carpet cleaner who (must?) be suffering from a lack of work, who thought it would be a good idea to strip a Saltillo floor for an elderly lady who called to complain that she was slipping when coming out of her shower.
Rather than suggesting an are rug or matt, he went to You Tube and watched THIS of all video and thought he could do the same.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvZJwvmKnKE


BEFORE (a perfectly fine Saltillo)
View attachment 125326View attachment 125327View attachment 125328

During/after

View attachment 125330


THIS being using soy strippers, a 5in1 in one scraper and acetone...

NO rinsing with a truckmount or shop vac.

He tried a wood floor machine like "Courtney Lee uses" to rinse but the squeegee couldnt deal with the groutlines and uneven man made tile.



I know this guy and really wish he would have called me insted of going straight to You Tube.


I got a bunch of infrom him and determined his ability to attempt a fix, but sadly, there isnt wiht his skill and equipment.

I told him to stop and find a pro to fix it.

Which will probably take a FULL and proper stripping of the entire floor, which will efffect the walls and woodwork, and cost a small fortune.




So, the point being, when will our industry step up it's game and offer a real indepth educational pathway to success? View attachment 125329

You can't fix stupid.

 

[Mikey P]

You can't fix stupid.

Why not, I made it...

 

[Dolly Llama]

truth is, education doesn't stop one from being a hack.
Education can certainly prevent a conscientious person from making mistakes...which is a great thing, but hacks will be hacks regardless

Believe it or not, it's in all the licensed journeyman trades too
We've tossed more than a few contractors out of our program for slipshod workmanship and/or unethical practices

.L.T.A.

 

[Mikey P]

truth is, education doesn't stop one from being a hack.
Education can certainly prevent a conscientious person from making mistakes...which is a great thing, but hacks will be hacks regardless

Believe it or not, it's in all the licensed journeyman trades too
We've tossed more than a few contractors out of our program for slipshod workmanship and/or unethical practices

.L.T.A.

True, but not a reason to not offer a trade school pathway for those with the right intent

 

[Sierra Clean Care]

Always remember, in EVERY profession, trade or occupation, there are those who graduate at the top of the class, there are those who ‘just made it’…
Not necessarily a bad thing, they still
kinda know what they are doing, just hope you never NEED a surgeon, lawyer, airline pilot, or any other number of jobs or occupations, where your money, health, safety, or welfare is at stake…

I’d rather take the top than the bottom.

Food for thought.

 

[Mikey P]

Always remember, in EVERY profession, trade or occupation, there are those who graduate at the top of the class, there are those who ‘just made it’…
Not necessarily a bad thing, they still
kinda know what they are doing, just hope you never NEED a surgeon, lawyer, airline pilot, or any other number of jobs or occupations, where your money, health, safety, or welfare is at stake…

I’d rather take the top than the bottom.

Food for thought.

But there is no "class" for this industry

Which has the potential to pay more than those that do...

 

[Dolly Llama]

True, but not a reason to not offer a trade school pathway for those with the right intent

I'm not disagreeing with you, Mike.
I'd like to hear more on how it would work and the length of training to earn a "master cleaning specialist" degree

will it be an online degree or brick 'n mortar class rooms
or combo of both?
Will it be three weeks, three months or three years?

Where will the higher pay potential be for graduates right out of the gate?

will there be a la carte choices available for biz management, marketing, stone, wood, rugs, upl, etc for the prospect?

Lastly, how will it differ from the many specialized tech training available now?

Not dogging the idea, I promise.
just questioning the practical value over what's available now

..L.T.A.

 

[BIG WOOD]

Mike, keep in mind that a good school will always have an employment department designed to have a great job waiting for the graduate to go straight from class to work.

Carpet cleaning companies today (not you guys on here) pay their help pennies on the dollar and don't give them a career opportunity. Their reputation is crap on employment

So are you marketing this education idea to owner operators only or potential employees as well. If the latter is included, then that is a very important piece of the pie that I don't think you'll have control over that might crap in your plan

 

[Dr. Kleen]

Even with “higher education” there is no guarantee that one will be successful. It could help but look at all the people crying about their “wasted” student loans that they all signed up for? People have to have some accountability with their choices and be prepared to actually work for something they want. Not just get a slip of paper that says they are/should be successful. There are many ways to get educated in our community; you just have to sift through all the BS, like everywhere else…

 

[Mikey P]

I'm not disagreeing with you, Mike.
I'd like to hear more on how it would work and the length of training to earn a "master cleaning specialist" degree

will it be an online degree or brick 'n mortar class rooms
or combo of both?
Will it be three weeks, three months or three years?

Where will the higher pay potential be for graduates right out of the gate?

will there be a la carte choices available for biz management, marketing, stone, wood, rugs, upl, etc for the prospect?

Lastly, how will it differ from the many specialized tech training available now?

Not dogging the idea, I promise.
just questioning the practical value over what's available now

..L.T.A.

Two years ago Ryan Kettering approached me with an idea that I use my facilitating skills to create a new way to educate new comers and those who struggle but are willing to "go back to school". He had a sound basis of ideas but at the time I was not ready in a few ways. 3.0 is now ready.

I now have an all star team alongside me and the potential funding to create someting really special.

The first round of funding should approved real soon and I'll be able to discuss the project more.


All of your question have the answers that you want to hear, thats for sure, but I need to keep this on the down low for now.




Here's something to chew on though...

The timing is perfect in so many ways.

*Homeowners want one stop shopping by well educated and passionate Multi-Surface professionals.

*Our industry atracts those who want to work forthemselves and with their hands, but there is nowhere to turn for education other than FB and YT univercity and meaningless IICRC certification classes.

* The industry is changing rapidly as the big suppliers were all bought up by investment firms who only care about the bottom line, and not the end user. Not that it was ever all that great but SFS and other live classes was at least something. Also, most of the suppliers now do not have a former or reitireed cleaner on staff to guide those in need.

*Most advvice given online is the blind leading the blind.

*Equipment choices and those who work on them are all on a dramtic decline.

*Carpet and upholstery alone is not enough to earn a good living with anymore.

* Young hirees have found a hundered other ways to make $20 an hour that does not involved dealing with urine, poop, hard physical labor, mother figure customers, high pressure sales, things mechanical and confusing chemistry and other unpleasantries.

 

[Mikey P]

If the latter is included, then that is a very important piece of the pie that I don't think you'll have control over that might crap in your plan

watch me....

 

[Dolly Llama]

*Homeowners want one stop shopping by well educated and passionate Multi-Surface professionals.

*Our industry atracts those who want to work forthemselves and with their hands, but there is nowhere to turn for education other than FB and YT univercity and meaningless IICRC certification classes.

* The industry is changing rapidly as the big suppliers were all bought up by investment firms who only care about the bottom line, and not the end user. Not that it was ever all that great but SFS and other live classes was at least something. Also, most of the suppliers now do not have a former or reitireed cleaner on staff to guide those in need.

*Most advvice given online is the blind leading the blind.

*Equipment choices and those who work on them are all on a dramtic decline.

*Carpet and upholstery alone is not enough to earn a good living with anymore.

* Young hirees have found a hundered other ways to make $20 an hour that does not involved dealing with urine, poop, hard physical labor, mother figure customers, high pressure sales, things mechanical and confusing chemistry and other unpleasantries.

No offense intended, but that "chew on stuff" is marketing pablum that's full of half truths and dogging the competition currently available

G'luck to you and your investors.
They're going to need you and your "star status" and salesmanship to go anywhere.
Hope they pay you well for that


..L.T.A.

 

[Mikey P]

No offense intended, but that "chew on stuff" is marketing pablum that's full of half truths and dogging the competition currently available

G'luck to you and your investors.
They're going to need you and your "star status" and salesmanship to go anywhere.
Hope they pay you well for that


..L.T.A.

What competition?


No offense Larry but the only view of our industry that you have is the limited one from here.

The chew on list is just some of what's prompting me to do this, its certainly not marketing material to gain students.

Ill assume you're being negative because you didn't make it, and now work for The Man

 

[Dolly Llama]

damn, you're still stupid

..L.T.A.