Floor and wall tilers tile surfaces on jobs ranging from patios, domestic kitchens and bathrooms to industrial premises, swimming pools, shops, hotels and offices. They work with a variety of materials including ceramics, terracotta, stone, granite, marble and adhesives, choosing the most appropriate material to match the proposed use of the area, or working to plans drawn up by an architect or builder.

Tasks include setting out an area to calculate the amount of tiles and adhesives needed; using hand-cutters or machine tools to cut tiles to size and shape; levelling off surfaces with plaster, sand or cement; fixing wall or floor tiles then applying the grout before finishing the area. If the project involves restoration work, tilers may have to repair or remove the previous surface before setting out. So it may be useful to have a basic knowledge of plastering.

On large projects, tilers work in teams. Most tilers will work on both floors and walls to increase employment opportunities. Some tilers specialise in one or more areas of complex or difficult work, such as mosaics.

Tilers work in a variety of locations, and spend a lot of time bending and kneeling, so the work can be physically demanding. When using adhesives and grouts, personal protective equipment may be required. You may need to work away from home for periods of time, depending on the contract.

Skills and Interests
To be a tiler you should:

  ·  Have good practical skills

  ·  Be able to work accurately and have a careful, methodical approach

  ·  Have good numerical skills for measuring and calculating quantities of materials

  ·  Be creative and have an appreciation of design, for producing or matching patterns and colours

  ·  Be able to follow technical plans

  ·  Be generally fit, for bending and carrying tools and materials

  ·  Be able to work as part of a team and alone

  ·  Have a pleasant manner for dealing with clients in their own homes or offices

  ·  Be able to keep paperwork and accounts up to date if self-employed.

Training
For adult learners most of the training will be centre based with the possibility of some hands-on training in the workplace. A four to six week course is recommended if you are intending to do tiling as a career and it is important to build a portfolio of your work in the training centre. Once you have completed your centre based training. You can work towards the NVQs/SVQs in Wall and Floor Tiling at levels 2 and 3. This is done by building a portfolio of evidence while in the training centre and on-site. About 6 months into work as a tiler it’s recommended that you get an on site assessor to assess you and help you complete your portfolio for your NVQ. There is an organisation called OSAT who could help you with this route - combining portfolio building with assessment in the workplace through an employer or on your own.

To achieve the NVQ/SVQ you have to be assessed as competent in several units including:

  ·  Erecting and dismantling basic working platforms

  ·  Setting out

  ·  Preparing backgrounds/surfaces

  ·  Positioning and fixing

  ·  Repairs

When looking for a floor and wall tiling course make sure that the training is delivered at the industry standard and that you get back-up after you have completed the course.

If you are looking to do a course for your own DIY use, a one to two week course could save you a lot of money.

By 2010, workers within the construction sector working on construction sites must hold a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or be registered with an affiliated scheme. Many construction firms and their clients already insist that operatives hold a relevant CSCS card before being allowed to work on site. To receive a card, a worker must be registered for an NVQ or hold an NVQ/SVQ or acceptable equivalent and pass a health and safety assessment.

The cards are graded according to qualifications and experience. For experienced workers without formal qualifications, On-Site Assessment and Training (OSAT) can be used to achieve an award.

For details about the CSCS scheme, gradings, equivalent qualifications and applications, contact CSCS. For more detailed information about the health and safety test, training providers and OSAT, see CITB-ConstructionSkills. If you are self employed and working in domestic households the card is not yet required.

Opportunities
Most tilers work for specialist tiling contractors who provide services to the construction industry, directly to businesses and individual householders. With the development of housing and building work in Europe and other countries there may be opportunities to work abroad.

With additional training, floor and wall tilers may progress to technician level or become supervisors or contract managers. There may also be options to train as an assessor for tiling training courses and to assess people in the work place.

Self-employment is a common option and it is a well rewarded job, with no job being exactly the same. Over time you will build your confidence and speed and you are reliable and honest, a good self employed tiler could earn between £300 and £400 per day and most of your business will come through word of mouth. By networking with other trades people like plumbers and kitchen fitters you will pick up a lot of work however you need to be good and true to your word before people will recommend you. It is fundamental to know how to price up a job or you could go out of business.

Further information call Step to Training on 0800 043 6960 or e-mail info@steptotraining.co.uk