Construction
courses available:
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Tiling
Training courses
This course aims to give you a basic introduction to tiling, for use on your own home or to add to other skills you may already have. The emphasis will be on gaining practical experience; however some of the time will be spent with a tutor giving you an understanding of the elements of the trade.
What will I learn?
The following issues will be addressed in tutor-led discussions: 
Introduction to the tools of the trade
You will be shown the tools required for the job and
given an overview of what each tool is for, when it is used and its
correct usage. A bit of time is spent on the care and maintenance of
tools. You will also review the most commonly used adhesives. Your
tutor will finish off with a discussion of the good and bad habits
which tilers pick up.
Health and safety
Consisting of a brief background of the Health and
Safety legislation relevant to you.
Getting started
The importance of setting out a quote: principles involved,
tips and good practice, cleanliness, and dealing with difficult customers.
The emphasis will be on cost of materials, suppliers and dealing with
other trades in the context of how to measure and price your job and
estimate costs. Finally, there will be a brief theory test on marking
out and measuring areas to be tiled.
What about getting the job done?
Throughout the week you will gain practical experience on
how to tile around common kitchen and bathroom fixtures and how to
deal with common pitfalls such as uneven walls, pipes and sockets.
The tutor will begin with a demonstration on how to use the tools including:
cutting, marking out, and nibbling.
The areas you will gain experience with are:
- preparing a safe working area and following safe working practices
- identifying any hazards and how you would rectify them
- checking for poor or uneven surfaces
- selecting and using appropriate tools and equipment to prepare a straight run for tiling
- selecting and applying the appropriate adhesive and grouting
- cleaning tiles after fixing and grouting
Throughout the course you will be encouraged to take photographs of your work. On each project you will be expected to plan the layout and measure for the tiles to be used, and then provide the estimate of what you determine will be required to complete the job before collection. On completion you will be assessed to determine if you are within your estimate. Remember time is money and waste means lack of profit.
What will I need to bring?
You will be required to bring steel-capped boots or shoes and suitable clothing such as overalls. All tools and other material will be provided for the duration of your course. Safety goggles will also be available for your use.
Week 2
Building on what you learn during your first week, you will go straight into further preparation for wall tiling.
You will continue practicing the application of the practical knowledge on wall tiling. In addition there will be further work on:
- marking and cutting tiles to fit around obstacles such as around wash basin and sockets and fix tiles to wall area
- select and mix grout according to instructions and apply to tiled area using correct tools and following correct procedures
- clean off surplus grout with sponge
Your two week session will finish with a de-brief with your tutor will conduct a question and answer session with students to recap the two weeks of training.
Work toward a National Qualification & attain your CSCS Card
If you would like to achieve an NVQ2 in Tiling, the course outline below illustrates some of the units you will need to demonstrate competence in. To complete your NVQ2 you will need to demonstrate your skills and competence in the workplace where you will be assessed according to your level of ability. The skills which you demonstrate alongside additional evidence generated by you on site will be examined by an assessor in the workplace. This can be arranged through an OSAT registered centre.
While you are in the training centre you will gain the skills and confidence to help you achieve long term sustainable employment. We will register you with the CITB - awarding body and register and help you take the first steps towards achieving your site safety card (CSCS card). We will also give you advice regarding CITB criteria for holding the card.
The goal of this course is to give you the basics elements of tiling for use on your own home or to add on to another skill which you already have. The emphasis will be on gaining practical experience, but some of the time will be spent with an instructor giving you an understanding of the basics of the trade.
You will cover the same areas as with the two week course and then you will cover the following in weeks 3 and 4.
Week 3
You will develop your skill with wall tiling during week three. An important skill you will learn is setting up a datum line using different methods. You will be expected to mark out the gauge rod, prepare wall area for tiling, make sure wall area is sound and remove all obstacles where possible.
Developing your wall tiling skills
Additional practical experience will include:
- fixing battens to wall area around room to begin first full course of tiles
- making sure cuts are equal around wall areas- remember to practice cleanliness of work area.
- fixing tiles to wall areas in bathroom and kitchen areas, grout tiles, and remove surplus grout before set is complete.
Using theory the instructor will lead a discussion on:
- working with Quarry tiles (Limestone, Marble, Mosaics)
- pattern tiling and borders with octagonal patterns and wavy edge tiles
- complete tiling of kitchen and bathroom areas
- Q&A session
Week 4
In week four, if you are comfortable with your progress on wall tiling you can progress to the floor. Floor tiling can be significantly more difficult than the wall work so the level of skill required is greatly increased.
You will commence with the selection of correct adhesives and grout for floor tiling and throughout learn how to use materials economically.
Preparing the Floor
- make sure floor area is dry, sound, and dust free
- clear area where passable
- find centre of floor and lay floor adhesive using correct tool
- lay to straight line and continue across floor area (make sure floor is flat and tiles are spaced evenly – use spacers when necessary)
- make sure there are no raised edges
- leave floor to set
Grouting the Floor
- check grout consistency before using
- practice measuring and marking out around pedestal and WC
- use tile saw and hand cutting and nibbling tools to deliver the required shape.
- demonstrate cutting and shaping
Finally to help you along your way:
Tips on running a successful business
For those of you who will be looking to start up your own business this will be a useful introduction to topics such as tax, VAT, getting an accountant, registration of your business with Inland Revenue and opening a business bank account. It will also give an introduction to marketing opportunities such as local papers, stores’ notice boards, vehicle signage, sign boards outside current job site.
Your success depends on your reputation which is based on cleanliness, quoting correctly, and giving reasonable estimates for the time of the job and adhering to them.
What you need to bring
You will be required to bring steel-capped boots or shoes and overalls. All tools and other material will be provided for the duration of the course. Safety goggles will be made available for your use.
Work toward a National Qualification & attain your CSCS Card
If you would like to achieve an NVQ2 in Tiling, the course outline below illustrates some of the units you will need to demonstrate competence in. To complete your NVQ2 you will need to demonstrate your skills and competence in the workplace where you will be assessed according to your level of ability. The skills which you demonstrate alongside additional evidence generated by you on site will be examined by an assessor in the workplace. This can be arranged through an OSAT registered centre.
While you are in the training centre you will gain the skills and confidence to help you achieve long term sustainable employment. We will register you with the CITB - awarding body and register and help you take the first steps towards achieving your site safety card (CSCS card). We will also give you advice regarding CITB criteria for holding the card.
The goal of this course is to provide you with an excellent foundation and a rounded set of skills to start working as a tiler either as your primary trade or to add on to another skill which you already have. Tiling skills are required for all sorts of work from bathroom and kitchen installation to setting out patios and steps. The emphasis will be on gaining practical experience, but some of the time will be spent with an instructor giving you an understanding of the basics of the trade.
This course is aimed primarily at those seeking to earn a living as a tiler and so is looking to gain maximum experience and knowledge of the main areas of the trade, but it is also good for those who want to add it as another skill and get additional experience.
The approach will be similar to the 4 week course covering all of the same areas within the same timeframe. (See Top.) Having gained confidence in what you have learned in the first four weeks you will move into more complex areas and demanding materials.
Week five
This week will focus on more advanced wall tiling. You will follow a similar set-up as in week three but with the introduction of borders and patterns as the main focus of the week.
You will work to achieve a tiled wall area that integrates the more advance techniques of tiling.
Week six
This final week will focus on more advanced floor tiling. Complex use of borders and patterns on the floor area will be the main focus. The accuracy of the laying of tiles will be stressed as you need to cut and lay floor tiles without too much wastage to be a successful tiler.
What you need to bring
You will be required to bring steel-capped boots or shoes and overalls. All tools and other material will be provided for the duration of the course. Safety goggles will be available for your use.
Tips on running a successful business
For those of you who will be looking to start up your own business this will be a useful introduction to topics such as tax, VAT, getting an accountant, registration of your business with Inland Revenue and opening a business bank account. It will also give an introduction to marketing opportunities such as local papers, stores’ notice boards, vehicle signage, sign boards outside current job site.
Your success depends on your reputation which is based on cleanliness, quoting correctly, and giving reasonable estimates for the time of the job being adhered to.
Extra: we can include access to our “New Career Search” an employment (or business start-up) service including a development pack and ongoing mentoring and advice.