I totally agree with all the comments submitted but also wanted to give a personal thanks to Paul for all his instruction and patience!! I had a 3 month gap between my first course and the 3 day advanced course and with no tiling in between I was to be honest rusty to say the least! however after blowing the cob webs out and getting a taste for tiling again I'm now even more motivated and have put the wheels in motion to start my business. Its definetely an excellent course and highly recommended thanks again to all at NETT.

Originally Posted by tile a plumber

I have just completed the 4 day tiling course with North East Tiling and also the one day natural stone course followed by the 3 day extension course all of which I would thoroughly recommend

Darren and his staff were very helpful throughout the courses, and the knowledge I gained was second to none. The girls in the office are so friendly and can't do enough to help you, which is much appreciated.

I had no prior experience of tiling, but since the courses I am confident I can start up my own tiling business. The skills and knowledge Darren teaches throughout all three courses are invaluable.

The 3 day intensive course was brilliant because you learn the skills to overcome the day-to-day challenges on tiling jobs and also to be able to design and create your own work of arts.

I cannot recomend this courses highly enough, particuarly the 3 day intensive course which is like the icing on the top!!

Many thanks
from Alex in Germany/North Shields

I attended a four day course(plus an extra day's Natural Stone course) in May. I had never stuck a tile to a wall or floor before then, but now, thanks to Darren, Tracey etc, I have added more and more tiling jobs to my Property Maintenance/Home Improvements business. The course allowed me to become more self reliant and to be able to get rid of an unreliable tiler (that couldn't tile around a sink!!).
My father-in-law is a tiler and went on a course in the south of England a couple of years ago. However, I have been teaching him things for the last month that I learned at North East Tile Training and he has been blown away by them. He didn't realise how simple things could be.
I have practically been turned into a business shark thanks to Darren's business/sales advice and techniques. I have more confidence in my pricing and upselling of extras. It all seems so easy now!

I would highly recommend this course to anyone with aspirations of being a tiler of any level. It was one of the best courses I've ever been on.

Cheers,
Alan Machnik

I'm no computer nerd and usually too busy to sit on the computer and type so it's took me quite some time to get on here and post something but here goes!
I sat the course with darren a couple of months ago now, and since i did i can honestly say i've been rushed off my feet with work!
When the first job came in after the course i was past myself with nerves wondering if i could do it, could i remember everything i'd been told etc but after all that i got to the job got my head down and everything came flooding back to me.
I dont know if darren uses a technique of hypnotherpay or summit but once on the job i could hear him talking in my head... everything he said came flooding back and the job went perfect... so well in fact that the customer had me go back in the following week to tile her bathroom to get it to the same standard as what i'd done for her in the kitchen.
I've done a few jobs now and all have gone relatively straight forwards.

This course is fantastic... worth every penny.

All i can say is please dont do it though... cause then you could be good enough to be taking work away from me!

Finished my course on Friday and have to say it was far better than I could have ever expected.

Everything is at a fast rate and sometimes you can feel lost, as in what the hell is going on here! However if you just listen and hang in there it will all make perfect sense in the end. It is a course full of knowledge that you eventually realise all comes down to common sense.

I cannot speak highly enough of the course, I had never laid a tile in my life but now know that I have the knowledge and support (either by the notes given or by emailing Darren if needed) to make a go of tiling.

From my financial services background I have been on more courses than I care to remember but never been on one as good as this.

Finished four days plus the natural stone course on the 8th Aug. It is VERY hard work but also very informative and worthwhile. Not done any jobs yet but I have sounded out a couple of tradesmen and darrens idea of prices charged seem pretty accurate, maybe even a little conservative. I had a chat with a local tiling shop manager today and I was more than confident in all the subjects we touched on. So its onward and upwards for me business cards next, then a bit of advertising and marketing. I thoroughly reccomend the course but bear in mind when you get home noone is going to do it for you !

Just finished the 8 day course at NETT and thought it was excelent.
I had a good read of this thread before I signed up for the course as I wanted to make sure that it was the right choice.
Even though it is a short course there is still an incredible amount of detail packed in and it is so fast paced. However I thought Darren was really good at getting the message across and making it stick, taking away the panic of missing things you may have had with a poor instructor. What else I liked about this course too is that is wasnt just the obvious about banging a tile onto a wall either, the running of a buisness is talked at length too which is just as usefull.
The extension courses ar worth a punt too. The natural stone is a neccesity and the 3 day advanced course whch is more relaxed and hands on is a good way to build your confidence
Well worth the money. Cheers

hi m8 completed north east course in may came over from northern ireland didnt know what to expect.you wont be disapointed lots to take in but darren and tracey really know there stuff im going back for the last 3 days of the course soon thats how good it is hope u enjoy im sure u will!
garretridge-northern ireland

Having just completed the 4 day course i have to say Darren not only talks a great course but backs it up with so much skill attention to detail and trade tips that no amount of money could buy. if you want the best then i would recomend NETT, its worth every penny

on my course there were 3 people who had never tiled ALL gained the standard to get paid work.

Conclusion Great Course Great Skills Great Backup you get the picture GREAT

I have to agree with all the positive feed back left about NETT Darren and his team they are excellent. From the minute you are arive you are made welcome and the training Darren provides gives you real confidence in your ability. I have done 2 courses with Darren and although I am still full time Army but with the knowledge I have gained at NETT I am looking forward to becoming a full time tiler in the future. A big thanks to Darren and his team

Just finished the 5 day course at NETT and all I can say is that it was the best and most informative week I have had! Well worth the money, Darren is a true professional and if you just listen to him you will have more than enough knowledge to not only become a good tiler, but you will also become a great businessman!

Big thanks to Darren, Tracey, Debra, Paul and Colin and I'll see you all on the extension course once my knee has recovered!!

Ryan

19 pages of great feedback i think ive definately made the right decision to go to Nett

I have just finished the 4 day plus natural stone tiling course with NETT, it is very intense but for only being a week long you expect it to be. As said many times Darren has a great teaching ability, he cuts out the crap and gets straight to the point. You learn a lot more than just tiling and Darren goes into a lot of detail on the business side of things, can't recommend it enough !
Cheers mate

Would just like to back up the comments of the many previous on this thread.Have two weeks ago returned from the 8 day tiling coarse after been made redundant having been a printer for 22 years.My trade is finished-digital,China,India.I've 25 years left so have looked at my circumstances positively and decided to hopefully make a career in tiling.
I researched many coarses that were nearer to myself in Leeds but followed my instincts and travelled to Newcastle for 2 weeks.Every thing was as hoped,the staff who all combined created a great opportunity for myself wanting to learn,the overall knowledge i've taken on has given me a great base to build from and the main thing is now the confidence that has grown since returning.
I also did the the 2 day plumbing coarse which when booking i was in 2 minds wether to.My advice to anyone like myself with no plumbing experience is it's a must.It's already gave me now an all round service i can now offer to customers and also make things easy for myself.I've as my first paying job just done a bathroom that needed plying out.From what i've recently learnt the sink,radiator , and toilet came staight out without hesitation,i had the tools i had the method.The client was delighted with the result.If i hadn't have taken the plumbing coarse i would have tiled around things knowing the result could have been by far better.
The money earned on this 1 job has paid for this coarse so not out of pocket but the knowledge gained is now forever.
Many thanks to Paul whose running the coarse
Cheers to all.
Kev

NETT course is honestly the best course I have ever had the pleasure of being a part of. The teaching was conducted on an extremely professional level and the whole course was set out so to cram a lot of information in a few short days but done exceptionally well.

Darren, Paul, Colin, Debra and Derek were all fantastic and great people to get along with. I went onto the course having no experience at all, now i can safely see myself as a good tiler.

Thanks guys

Hi, I completed Darren's 4day tiling + 1day natural stone course back in August. I can only aggree with all the positive feedback left so far.
Although I had some experience in tiling the course gave me the knowledge and confidence to start my own business, well worth the trip over from N. Ireland.
Many thanks to Darren and the team,
Jonny

I just spent a week up at NETT, doing the 4 day and natural stone courses. Not the nearest centre to me (about 5.5 hours in the car) but definitely worth the drive. So much gets crammed into the week; it goes well beyond the basics, and gives you all the knowledge you need to work out any job.
The advice Darren gives on the business side of things is invaluable, half of it would never have even occured to me in a million years!?! Lots of food for thought, which i'm still digesting now..

My only regret is that i didn't buy that Plasplugs wet cutter, i've not been able to find a better saw for anywhere near that price... Doh!

My thanks to Darren & the rest of the team

well its the 2 day of my course at north east tiling ans im loving it!!

hi all,
Just compleated the 8 day course at NETT and there is not a great deal more to add.I can only reiterate what is said in the previous 19 pages.
I dont wanna sound "melowdramatic"but Darren has got together a group of people and with no doubt a great deal of hard work on their parts,has developed a course that he teaches in a rather unique way,that is fast paced,very informative and a lot of fun (so its gorra be worth doin).if you are willing to learn these people can change your lives,be sure of that!!
By virtue of the fact you are reading this you must be thinking of doing the NETT course,do yourself a favour,STOP thinkin an hit the buy button,the cost of this training is an investment,an investment in yourself and there is no better investment than that.
So without further ado,take a bow "team NETT"

TRACEY-unfortunaly only met briefly,but the pleasure was mine,
DEBS-ahh the geordie miss moneypenny! so very helpfull,even helped me
sort out b&b,travel,even giving her the money for the course was a
pleasure lol
COLIN-never far away in the workshop,always there to help, proper nice
fella,best of luck to you col
DERECK-aka catweasel,does the plastering 30odd yrs in the trade,another
nice guy
PAUL- as colin above,takes the 3 day advanced course which is excellant i
would not have thought you could learn so much,must say a
massive thx to paul (also does the plumbing course which is a must)
DARREN-the tilers guru,not a lot more i can say about this guy,just listen
an you WILL learn.and yet another all together nice guy

so there you have it,sorry for the long post, My advice to anyone thinking of a tiling course is get on the blower to debs now,and do yourself a favour.
ged

Cheers Jonny,
Hope you are doing OK
Thanks for the testimonial
Regards
Darren

just finished the 4 day tiling course and the 1 day natural stone course... which is a must.. deffo going back to do plumbing course, when i walked into that unit i thought **** i have to tile that and i admitt it was a bit intimadatin but with the uniqe way that darren delivers this intense course i would have no problem walking in to a punters house and tiling there bathroom or there conservatory and laying some natural stone down..! thanks for the help and advice and to all the staff at nett.
YOU HAVE TO SIT BACK AND REALISE THE WORK THAT GOES ON BEHIND THE SCENES ASWELL AS WHAT YOU LEARN!!!! JAMES

I admitt it was a bit intimidating

oh, roll on Dec 1st, my turn then!!, glad you said that about it being a bit intimidating at first, I'm really quite nervous already (of being the first ever Dodo on this course!), but then, before my knee packed up , I used to go rock climbing and every time you look up a cliff face you think, oh, ....heck...., and then it's ok, so I just have to trust it... Darren, just so you know, I haven't slept properly for ages because of all this! Really!

Hi i Was on the nett course back in april 2007 fantastic highly recommended ok there is a lot to take in but if you listen and really take in what is said and write everything down you will be fine. Darren keeps everything simple and easy to understand so that you leave with the confidence in yourself what ever you decide to do.

Just finished my tile training at the best center in the country N.E.T.T. this center is a must if you are looking for a professionally taught stright to the point no messing around tiling course.

Darren has all the knowledge,techniques,and expert skills that he will pass on to all that attend the course.The explenations and demostrations are first class and you are only taught the skills that are important to the job and no time is wasted.The course covers everything you need to know and is intense but is thought in such away that it is very easy to understand.

For anyone serious about tile training then there is only one place to go N.E.T.T. dont forget that they also do a Natural stone course and there web site gives all the information about all the courses that they run.

Thanks again N.E.T.T.

Originally Posted by Mosaic Girl

I admitt it was a bit intimidating

oh, roll on Dec 1st, my turn then!!, glad you said that about it being a bit intimidating at first, I'm really quite nervous already (of being the first ever Dodo on this course!), but then, before my knee packed up , I used to go rock climbing and every time you look up a cliff face you think, oh, ....heck...., and then it's ok, so I just have to trust it... Darren, just so you know, I haven't slept properly for ages because of all this! Really!

i'm on the course Dec 1st too! guess i'll see you there

I did the 5 day course in August. Its great, listen to the sales advice. It doesnt matter how good you tile if you cant win the jobs. I have done work from saving a diy disaster to a full bathroom refurb. All my customers have been very happy with my work and I am earning plenty. Thanks to you all at nett and good luck to all the newbies, be positive and go for it.

Hi all, I've just finished the 8 day course and even before I've done my first job I believe it will be the best investment I've ever made! The first week was fast & furious but the results are excellent. The second week was more laid back with lots of hands on tiling. I also did the 2 day bathroom installation which again was very interesting and learnt at lot from it. I will help a lot and make it easier when tiling bathrooms.
Darren..an inspiration
Paul..a legend (cheers for second week mate, loved it!)
Debs..what can I say? you're a gem!
Thanks to all.

Well hello - new smilies and all seasonal, cute!

ANYHOW, the NETT tiling course was BRILLIANT!!! Hard work, intense, speedy, thorough, but loved it and having kind of withdrawal symptoms today! Darren is a brilliant teacher and managed to inspire even the most uninspired, shame he can't afford to put the blooming heating on though!

Seriously though, it's been great, learnt heaps and am now going through the tiling in our house with a brutally critical eye, poking at everyting saying that's s****, technical term forever embedded by 'THE INFLUENCE'...

Learning how to silicone properly though was the icing on the cake for me, what a gem and could elevate any teacher to near sainthood! Can't wait to start the ensuite shower room after Christmas, a glorious mosaic that will be surrounded by perfect tiling, mitred trims and smooth as glass silicone, oh yes.....

He might look like simon cowell and he might drive hair stylists car but darren delivers an excellent course!
not much you can add that hasn't been said but having done the 4 day course and then the natural stone course (doing the bespoke design course in feb) the info and knowledge he gives is fantastic.
In the the 5 days, everything that is needed was covered. it's all the background info you need and thats what he delivered fantastically and backing it all up with notes so should anything not sink in then the info is there somewhere!

Without doubt he is the best teacher i have ever had and i have had loads at all levels (school, college, university, courses) the way the course is delivered is great and it makes alot more sense now than before i started.
Confidence is the key and thats what he installs.

Thanks to darren, colin, deborah and tracey

Just finished the 8 day course at NETT and I thought it was brilliant! Darren certainly knows his stuff and is excellent at teaching the business side of things as well as the actual tiling skills.

The first 4 days are very fast paced as there is a hell of a lot of information to take in. Day 5 is the Natural Stone course and is mostly theory work but it is essential really.

Week 2 (Mon, Tue, Wed) is the advanced course and is much more laid back than week 1 as you are able to work at your own pace. You will be surprised at how fast you actually work though!

The teaching staff at NETT are top notch and Debra & Tracey make cracking brews! I would definately recommend NETT to anyone looking into doing a tiling course.

Thanks to Darren, Colin, Paul, Debra and Tracey.

Steve

Did the NETT course in September, what an eye opener, an absolute must for anyone considering a career change or just for the diy'er. From walking in the door and being welcomed by Debbie to leaving on the Friday after the Natural stone course it was the most informative week ive had in my working life. The info that Darren delivered will stay with me for a very, very long time, not just the way he delivered the tiling course but also the buisness side of things. If your considering this course you must listen, listen and listen some more, it comes at you like a run away train, but hang in there it all comes together in the end and if you do, you will be given the confidence, knowhow, and drive to change your way of life, if thats what you want. Before this course I would'nt have had the confidence, let alone the skills to take on the jobs that I have done, but throwing myself into situations and going through the processes learned, both buisness and skill wise, I,m getting there.
The course is delivered in such a way that everything sticks in your mind, maybe not at first, but when you go away and go through the "bible" it will all come back to you.
I would definately consider one of Darren's other courses, i,m pretty sure they will be delivered in the same profesional manner as the one I attended.
Many thanks to Darren, Tracy, Paul, Colin and Debbie and hope to see you in the near future. Keith