Dan

I think a tiling course is a really good start for somebody who isn't quite sure they can take the time off to do the old college route, nor not be earning whilst they do the course.

Before the short courses we only had tilers that were shown the ropes by tilers, on the job, working to the clock and with very little spare time to be shown the right way and explained. Sure, some good tilers come from this background but you didn't have the chance if you didn't know a tiler willing to take you on with no experience and pay you.

So these days I think there is a need for short courses, NVQ's, colleges and the tilers mate route to consider, and that's a good thing - to have the option to get into a trade you maybe really good at.

If you do a short course, then some friends and family jobs, then check the forum a bit and ask some questions and more importantly CONCETRATE ON MARKETING YOURSELF AND YOUR BUSINESS you'll get work, and then to sit with the elite you can get an NVQ, just in case there does come a day you need one to tile domestic work.... though one which gets enforced in someway too so it works.