Tiling Courses Hope this helps - Page 2 - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

**ChaseTiling** · 06-09-2007

Proper Job,

We are always sorry to hear at the centre here that potential tilers that have trained here have realised that tiling is not for them and have decided to pack it in.

There are a number of factors that we have picked up on with why this is, with input from our friends at the other centres across the UK. The main ones are:

1. Lack of Confidence
2. Lack of Logical Thinking
3. Poor Problem Solving Skills
4. Poor Communication Skills With Potential Customers and Bad Marketing
5. The Recall To Mind Of Instructed Information
6. Poor Practical Ability

Its not just our centre that experience this, but with our networking with other centres, we know that this is the case across the UK.

We have tilers that have trained here currently working for developers and holding contracts for the next 12 months, with other tilers teaming up with each other to help spread the work out and form companies to meet demand. We have also just qualified 4 tilers that trained here a number of years ago through their NVQ2, which they passed with flying colours.

We are more than happy to ask them to be a reference to the level of training they received (the same as you) and to publish this on this forum.

With your permission, we would like to publish your training record and feedback sheet that you have signed, to say that you received all the training needed to become a newly trained tiler. We would like this published for all to read on here and make an informed opinion of the non accredited courses we were running at the time of your training.

Just to reinforce what I have previously said, all our courses have been developed further to accommodate and ICA award and NVQ. And we haven't had to change hardly anything to our curriculum for this to happen.

Once again, we are sorry to hear that a very small number of individuals that pay to train are finding that tiling is not for them for what ever reason.

Best Regards,
Chase Tiling Academy

**grumpygrouter** · 06-09-2007

I have to say that when I went to do my training earlier this year, I went fully expecting to come away fully armed to take up the profession. I realised about 3 days into the course that there was much, much more to the trade than I had thought. It was made quite clear during the first week of the course that tiling was very hard work and needs a certain level of competence to make a living.

If subsequent to the training, people fall by the wayside, then so be it. The world revolves around business and, like the animal kingdom, only the strong survive.

To blame the tiling training establishments for peoples inability to make self employment work for them is, I feel a little unfair. Neither can a fast track establishment fully train, in 1 course, all that is required to be competent in every aspect of the trade. It is, as was mentioned in a previous post a "massive field". My training provider told us of the additional courses available to trainees wishing to further their knowledgeof such things, mosaics for instance, but like ANY trade, craft, skill, knowledge only really accumulates with experience.

Maybe the people that "packed in" the tiling, did so not because they were unable to tile to a satisfactory standard but because they did not have the business accumen to succeed in their chosen venture. Getting and NVQ from college would have little effect on this, I feel.

Grumpy

**ChaseTiling** · 06-09-2007

grumpygrouter,

You have hit the nail right on the head on one of the factors I mentioned for people's failure in the industry....

It's good to see a sensible response on here on an issue thats been flying around for a while now

Best Regards,
Chase Tiling Academy

**grumpygrouter** · 06-09-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaseTiling

grumpygrouter,

You have hit the nail right on the head on one of the factors I mentioned for people's failure in the industry....

It's good to see a sensible response on here on an issue thats been flying around for a while now

Best Regards,
Chase Tiling Academy

My Pleasure.

Grumpy

versatilene · 06-09-2007

In such a pro training centre forum it's probably heresy to say this but I think the training centres should question the volume of what they are doing, especially the short quick courses How many other trades turn out from training 20+ people per week, every week (and thats only one training centre in one geographical area) Yes it's competitive and business, but not good business, It can't be in the interest of tilers and tiling to go on over producing 'tradesmen'

And yes I have a vested interest as I tile and was trained this way, but from a long history as a cabinet maker and woodwork instructor requireing similar precision skills which were tranferable.

**grumpygrouter** · 06-09-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by versatilene

In such a pro training centre forum it's probably heresy to say this but I think the training centres should question the volume of what they are doing, especially the short quick courses How many other trades turn out from training 20+ people per week, every week (and thats only one training centre in one geographical area) Yes it's competitive and business, but not good business, It can't be in the interest of tilers and tiling to go on over producing 'tradesmen'

And yes I have a vested interest as I tile and was trained this way, but from a long history as a cabinet maker and woodwork instructor requireing similar precision skills which were tranferable.

I think you have a very good point, but it must also be remebered that the fast track training establishments are NOT created to "produce tilers" for the industry. They are in fact businesses in their own right and make money by "training tilers". Whether the industry as a whole can sustain such throughput is a different matter altogether.

These schools pay their mortgaes by training people. when the tiling industry becomes saturated, poor training schools, like poor tilers/business people, will fall by the wayside, leaving, as mentioned before, the strong to carry on.

Grumpy

versatilene · 06-09-2007

'The end justifies the mean' now where have I heard that before? Dress it up how you will, taking someones savings (or Loans) and selling them something you know they have little hope of using because there is a glut of them has to be just a little immoral. Yes we're all adults and can make our own decisions but I couldn't sleep well knowing I'd cashed in on peoples dreams.

**grumpygrouter** · 06-09-2007

Would you suggest that these tiling schools tell people that they should go on some sort of business training course first before they consider taking up a different type income generating stream? Just to see if they have the nounce to go in to business?

Not really practicle, I don't think. Nobody pushes these potential trainees through the doors of these schools, neither do I think the schools are cashing in on peoples dreams. They are providing a service for which there is a demand, proven by your statement about "pushing out 20+ per week".

It is nothing more than a stark fact of business life, some make it, some don't! I was not fully aware of what I was getting into until the training I did informed me! I made a decision to carry on with my adventure, like most people do. If I feel it is not working then I will do something else but I certainly won't hold other businesses reponsible for my failings should I do so.

If you feel you have been mis-led in some way regarding your training, take it up with the people that trained you. I certainly don't every recall getting a "hard sell" to join the course that I did, quite the opposite in fact, as I recall being told a few times that "tiling isn't for everyone".

Grumpy

Pauly · 06-09-2007

Some interesting points boys, not only isn't tiling for everyone neither is running your own business in tiling or other trades. I've been self employed for 30+ years and I remember many occasions actually envying anyone with a 9-5 job that they could leave at 5 and forget all about work. With your own business you can't do that as some of us know too well.
When you are young and starting a family etc it is sods law that that is the time you need to be earning the most and that is when you have to spend most of your time working instead of enjoying family life.
Loads of negatives - chasing money - awkward customers - sharks (aka would be property developers) who do their utmost to nitpick so as to fleece you.
And people still think you are loaded "Got his own business - must be!"

God I'm turning into Victor Meldrew!!!

versatilene · 06-09-2007

Let's not make this personal, Just promoting healthy debate that's all, being the devil's advocate, isn't that what the sites for? I don't think Iv'e been fleeced, I got exactly what I researched and signed up for. Iv'e been self employed for 22 years in three different areas of work, know the problems and still going at it.

postie · 06-09-2007

Interesting post and comments ,i did my training at Nett first class i must say and the buisness side of the course was a real eye opener . I have now made the first steps into self employment - cards- van- tools-advertising- although i have done some plastering work on the side and i must admit it it all looks dauting and you do doubt yourself at times, but once i get a few tiling jobs under my belt i am sure that feeling will subside it is definitely a confidence thing but one i am prepared to have a go at you only live once so sod it no good wondering what if .

Proper Job · 06-09-2007

Well i have enrolled today at south birmingham college and it seems to be the business it covers more than i expected. I got it for free so i have saved myself £1400. I will give a report in the future how it compares to the fast track route.