More Than Training: My Pallmann NEXGEN Journey

In 2022, I was 26 years old and still finding my feet in the wood flooring industry.

I had recently started sanding floors part-time while also working at Ultimate Floorcare. The only training experience I had was going on a three-day Sand and Seal course at FloorSkills Training Centre, so when I was offered the

opportunity to join Pallmann NEXGEN, I saw it as a chance to improve my knowledge and better support our customers. What I didn't realise at the time was just how much the programme would shape my view of the flooring industry.

Starting The Journey

The NEXGEN programme was designed to help develop younger people and newcomers entering the flooring industry. Nine of us began the programme, which was delivered over several months and covered a wide range of subjects including sanding, finishing, staining, floor fitting, subfloor preparation, machinery, abrasives and specialist techniques.

We spent time at FloorSkills Training Centre learning sanding, sealing, staining and subfloor preparation. We visited A H Peck to learn about mosaic inlays and create our own designs. The programme then culminated in a trip to Pallmann Orange World in Würzburg, Germany. From the start it was all you could imagine from a wood flooring training programme and more.  Everyone involved wanted us to learn.

Learning From Industry Leaders

One of the biggest surprises for me was seeing how much support existed behind the programme. Manufacturers, distributors, trainers and successful business owners were all giving up their time to invest in the next generation

of flooring professionals. A standout example was Corey Osman from A H Peck. Despite running a busy respected flooring business in London, he dedicated time to teaching us how to create and install mosaic inlays. Using scroll saws, we designed and produced our own inlays from scratch.

My proudest moment of the entire programme was completing a mosaic inlay featuring the Ultimate Floorcare logo. Years later, it remains one of my favourite reminders of the course.

Discovering Orange World

If there is one memory that stands above all others, it is my first visit to Pallmann Orange World in Würzburg. Before NEXGEN, I had done very little travelling outside Cambridgeshire. Within a few months, I had travelled across the UK and then into Germany to learn directly from one of the industry's leading manufacturers. Orange World gave us extensive training on machinery, abrasives, finishing systems and brushing technology.

The brushing technology immediately caught my attention. It was the first time I had seen the process properly and I could instantly see the opportunities it created for contractors looking to offer something different. Structured and textured timber floors offer a unique finish and allow contractors

to separate themselves from competitors.

Looking Beyond The Surface

One of the most valuable areas of training for me was subfloor preparation. As a wood floor restorer, it wasn't something I dealt with every day. However, understanding what is happening beneath a floor helps you better understand the floor itself. The knowledge gained gave me a broader understanding of the flooring industry and helped me appreciate the importance of the complete

system, not just the visible surface.

More Than An Industry

Perhaps the biggest lesson I took away from NEXGEN wasn't technical. It showed me that flooring is more than an industry. It's a community. I made friendships and connections that still exist today.

Many of the people I met have gone on to build successful careers and businesses within the flooring sector. The trainers, organisers and industry professionals involved genuinely wanted to help younger people succeed. that culture of sharing knowledge is something I continue to admire.

Taking The Knowledge Back To Work

The real value of training is what happens afterwards.

I remember returning to work and looking at floors differently. The very next day, while sanding an oak plank floor, I found myself thinking how good it would look with a brushed finish. Then i had to snap back to reality and get the 50grits on the spider and get to work!

The training had changed the way I looked at opportunities. It improved my confidence with machinery, finishing systems and product application. Just as importantly, it expanded my network of experienced people I could contact whenever I needed advice.

Looking Back Today

When I think about NEXGEN now, I think about the effort Pallmann put into developing the next generation of flooring professionals. The training was excellent, The hospitality was exceptional, the trip to Germany was unforgettable.

We even nearly missed our flight home after enjoying one final Helles beer and failing to notice the growing passport control queue. But the thing that stays with me most is the people. The Friends and partnerships. The experienced professionals that wanted to share knowledge that has taken decades to gain themselves

NEXGEN wasn't valuable because of the training alone. It was valuable because it created lifelong friendships, professional relationships and a stronger flooring community.

If you're lucky enough to get the opportunity to attend, my advice is simple.

Do it. You won't regret it.