Five ‘Generations’ Of Flooring Talent Lay Down The Path For Each Other

Lew Thompson’s journey in the industry began in 1983 when he left school to start a flooring apprenticeship with Barry Wilkinson and Greg Durkin at Superior Flooring.

“I loved my apprenticeship,” Lew recalls. “Greg was an awesome mentor and boss. He taught me a great work ethic and always explained things clearly, making sure I understood what to do, and why it needed to be done that way.”

Lew’s early experiences under Greg’s mentorship set the foundation for a successful career that has spanned decades, and saw Lew taking on his own first apprentice in 1993. Since then, Lew’s Creative Flooring has laid out the welcome mat for numerous young professionals.

“Training apprentices has been one of the strengths of our business over the past 35 years. It’s important because they are the future of our trade. Without apprentices, we don’t have tradespeople,” Lew continues.

His second apprentice, Sean Griggs, ended up becoming his business partner, and played a crucial role in training the next generation of apprentices, including Nick Williams.

“Sean was patient, helpful and knowledgeable, while Lew always pushed me to be better. That meant I was learning from two people who really understood what it took to be successful in the industry,” explains Nick.

Under Lew’s guidance, Nick continued to learn beyond his formal training, eventually becoming a contractor and later taking on his own apprentice with the support of his mentors.

“Having an apprentice was scary at first. It was my third year in business, and being young myself, it was a big responsibility. Having Lew’s support helped hugely. Lew being a boss taught me how to be a boss. He passed on essential lessons about dealing with employees, clients, and problem-solving, which helped me a lot as I moved forward and went out on my own,” Nick says.

Nick’s own apprentice, Logan, is grateful for the collected wisdom and advice he received during his training.

“Nick never shied away from answering any questions. He was always willing to show me things and let me try them out for myself. One of the key lessons I learned from him was that it’s not a mistake if you can fix it. That ability to adapt and find solutions is crucial in this trade,” he says.

Now an experienced installer himself, working alongside Nick, Sean and Lew at Lew’s Creative Flooring, Logan is considering taking on an apprentice as well in the future.

“I’d definitely be keen to take on an apprentice. I enjoy passing on knowledge and showing others what has worked for me.”

Having three ‘generations’ working together in one firm also showcases how great mentor relationships can lead to lasting partnerships. To this day, Greg remains in touch with his former apprentice, Lew. While he no longer has his own apprentices, he’s proud of being able to provide a voice for those in the industry.

“My role at BCITO is all about hearing from employers and learners about their experiences and encouraging future learners to start an apprenticeship to ensure the cycle continues,” says Greg.

Nick had a similar message to industry personnel:

“You have to pass on the skillset you have been taught. The industry needs people to be trained, and if we don’t take on apprentices, it’ll be harder to find skilled installers in the future. We need to support and help our own industry.”