The CFA has recently crowned Daniel Mee from Hillside Contracts as the 2025 Flooring Apprentice of the Year. Here he talks to us about his career so far, what it means for him to have won the competition, and what’s next for him…
I started working with Hillside Contracts just over two years ago, and I’ve learned a lot from the team because we’ve worked on such a wide variety of projects.
I joined the industry because I enjoyed my time helping my uncle with his flooring business during the summers. Likewise, I enjoyed the hands-on work and found it satisfying to see the transformation that quality flooring can bring to a space.
Every job is different, and I like the challenge of working with different types of floor coverings and seeing how they can completely transform a space. That sense of ‘before and after’ is what makes the work so rewarding for me.
And the winner is…
I’m someone who always strives to be the best at what I do and push myself to achieve as much as possible. Entering the Flooring Apprentice of the Year competition felt like a great way to challenge myself, showcase the skills I’ve developed and learn from others in the industry. It’s also a chance to grow professionally and take my career to the next level.
To win the Flooring Apprentice of the Year competition means a great deal to me. It’s a huge achievement and a proud moment that reflects all the hard work, dedication and learning I’ve put into my career so far. It’s also a big thank-you to the skilled tradespeople who’ve supported and guided me along the way. This recognition motivates me even more to keep growing in the industry and aim for the highest standards in everything I do.
Working with Bostik
I’ve used Bostik products in previous projects – my favourite is Bostik ROLL, I find it really enjoyable to work with. It offers some clear advantages over traditional adhesives like contact adhesive, especially for cap and cove flooring. It’s cleaner, quicker to apply, and provides a strong, reliable bond, which makes the whole process more efficient and consistent.
I’d like to thank Bostik for its support of the FAOTY competition. I’ve been blown away by this year’s sponsors and their generosity in donating prizes.
Keeping skills sharp
I stay up to date and continue improving my skills by learning from the experienced tradespeople around me. I’m always picking up new techniques and tips on-site, and I make a point of taking on more complex tasks that challenge my skill set.
Pushing myself out of my comfort zone has been a big part of my development, and I’m always open to learning something new to become a better floor layer.
It’s important to keep pushing yourself to be the best you can be, so be willing to listen, learn and take pride in the details. Flooring is a trade that really rewards patience and precision, so don’t rush the process. Learn as much as you can from the experienced fitters around you, and always be open to improving. If you put in the effort and care about the quality of your work, you’ll reap the rewards.
Onwards and upwards
Now that I’ve won Flooring Apprentice of the Year, I’m more motivated than ever to keep pushing forward. My goal is to continue developing my skills, take on more responsibility and broaden my knowledge of different floor coverings and techniques. I see this as just the beginning of a long and successful career in the flooring industry.
Finally, I’d like to thank my Uncle James from JB Carpets & Flooring for introducing me to the trade and sparking my passion for flooring. I’m also very grateful to everyone at Hillside Contracts Ltd for giving me the opportunity to learn and grow in this industry. A special thanks goes to Josh and Paul Appleby for their guidance and training; they’ve played a huge role in helping me develop my skills.
To find out more about the Flooring Apprentice of the Year competition, please click here.
