Even among the trades, tiling is a career option that can be frequently overlooked, given that it entails providing the finishing touches to rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms, albeit also in shops and as part of other major construction projects.
Nonetheless, this ‘overlooked’ nature of the role can also mean that many fail to realise the variety one can encounter in their projects as a tiler, including when a need exists for more specialised work such as the tiling of swimming pools, outdoor tiling in gardens or the restoration of mosaics.
It can also lead many prospective tilers to assume that the job poses less of a challenge than it really does – which, as you might imagine, is something we would like to avoid with those who sign up for our tiling NVQ Level 2 courses here at YTA!
Tiling isn’t easy, or for everyone
You shouldn’t be fooled by the lack of any set requirements to pursue a tiling career – in truth, this is a profession that calls for a wide range of skills, including good practical skills, the ability to follow design plans, and impeccable accuracy and attention to detail.
Creative flair and a good eye for design are also needed to ensure the right aesthetic result, as are maths skills so that the costs and quantities of materials can be calculated.
You will also need to possess good customer service skills, while self-employed tilers must be able to keep paperwork and accounts up to date.
With a tiler’s typical day-to-day duties including everything from marking out areas – known as ‘setting out’ – and cutting tiles into the required shape and size to levelling off surfaces with plaster, sand or cement and working with a range of building materials, the various demands placed on a tiler should not be underestimated.
Tilers typically work between 37 and 45 hours a week, Monday to Friday, and can expect to start on a salary of between £17,000 and £20,000, which can rise to between £30,000 and £38,000 at the highest levels of experience.
Enquire now about our tiling NVQ Level 2 courses – and more
If you feel that a tiling career could be the right route for you, our team here at YTA would be happy to talk to you about your requirements from a tiling course. We offer a broad assortment of such courses, from one-day ‘taster’ experiences and NVQ Level 2 courses to intensive, floor and bathroom tiling courses to equip you with the skills you may need in various areas of specialism.
Find out more today by emailing info@ytatraining.com or calling 01274 682199 or 07400922788.