are courses better than a good book ? - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

a1tiler · 24-10-2007

Playing devils advocate here, what is the opinion on the belief that a couple of good instruction books, your own practice bay/wall and reading through these forums will give you,,, again with tons of practice as much as a 5 day course can.

**Dan** · 24-10-2007

I've read a few misleading articles and books, generally the correct way would be to get an NVQ.

Although I'd say it is possible to learn through reading and trial and error but like with anything you learn, if you can be guided by a mentor or teacher you'll learn much quicker.

Good topic mate, this should get some replies.

gaz4266 · 24-10-2007

You'll never beat hands on for experience, courses, waste of money, read up then put into practise.

**devonmark** · 24-10-2007

the best way to learn anything wether it be tiling, playing a guitar, casting a fishing rod etc is to be shown...Mark.

**Dave** · 24-10-2007

a course is good for the basics..which is basically what they are designed for...not all people can get a job as an apprentice..but at least a course gives you the back ground to the tiling game...and as long as forums like this one are around then its all the help you need.....dave..

crocotile · 24-10-2007

i know courses pay to be on here but seriously, these guys are just out to cash in on the boom.

everyone on here knows in there heads and in there hearts that its best to go out with a tiler and learn even if its for the odd day here and there. i dont want to be detrimental to tilers because i wouldnt do that but its not the hardest trade in the world. a couple of good books and dvds and a few months with a good tiler is the best route and do your nvq via osat.

the bays they use are not realistic. the time on each aspect is the bare arse minimum and as i said in a previous thread. a 5 day course is five days experience split between 15 other lads?

even if you went with a real tiler for 5 days and did 1 day. floors, 2 day walls, day 3 grouting, day 4 cuts , days five setting out then it would put you in better stead than the list of things they claim they teach you.

save you 45o pound or god forbid your 1500 and split the money into 3 sections.

1.500 quid to a local tiler for a months tuition, by the end of the month you could probably labour for him after youve got to know him ;0)

2. 500 pound tools, especially some of the bargains on here occasionally

3. 500 to osat for your nvq

dont even waste your time with an in house cert, they arnt worth a light and the ocn cert is not recognised in the construction. save your 50 quid and put it in the pocket of gaz from topps and he'll thro you some work

all this is common sense and its designed to help you lads not insult or patronise, i actually do care that some of you can be vunerable while you are lost, whereas these course guys as good as they may be, just want your wonga?

**Dave** · 24-10-2007

i appreciate your coments on courses and it will be argued all day long as to what is the best route...but to say that tiling isnt really quite that hard then i disagree,,because there certain sections to the trade that are specialised and not every joe soap can do them ..i.e. geometric designs and installation..and to install types of naturals requires good knowledge of the product and if correct methods arnt used then it will fail in time to come......but as courses go then not everybody has the apportunity to get a placement with a tiler or company as i did .. so the next option is to do a course of some kind..everybody has to start some where as we all did at one point ..........dave...

crocotile · 24-10-2007

yes but thats my point dave, if you paid a tiler rather than asking to work for free, then more tileres would be prepared to help out. in affect, tilers could be cheaper ways to learn than the course prices and they would learn on real life situations.

i also said that tiling wasnt the hardest trade in the world. thats a fair point. when i left school 30 years ago, tiling was classed as a semi skilled trade and if anything most tilers dont do what the old school did .. i like tiling but if you have a construction background then its easier get to grips with.

so come on time served tilers, heres your chance to make some extra money. charge 20 pound per day to teach somebody from outside your area. thats an extra 400 quis a month!!! probably cash and an extra pair of hands.

**devonmark** · 24-10-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhceramics

i appreciate your coments on courses and it will be argued all day long as to what is the best route...but to say that tiling isnt really quite that hard then i disagree,,because there certain sections to the trade that are specialised and not every joe soap can do them ..i.e. geometric designs and installation..and to install types of naturals requires good knowledge of the product and if correct methods arnt used then it will fail in time to come......but as courses go then not everybody has the apportunity to get a placement with a tiler or company as i did .. so the next option is to do a course of some kind..everybody has to start some where as we all did at one point ..........dave...

spot on...

**Dave** · 24-10-2007

these courses also teach people who just want to learn tilng but cant afford to give up there regular day jobs so workin with a tiler full time isnt an option....as i said before this could go on for ages discussing the pro's and cons but at the end of the day its a course designed to give experiance and thats it..then they can go onto to do nvq,s etc from there...happy tiling eh!..........dave..

**grumpygrouter** · 24-10-2007

I have to say that I feel that Crocotiles comments are a bit patronising. To say that tiling isn't the hardest trade in the world under-values every tiler that goes out and does a top class job.

I have found - during my course - that tiling is much harder than I first thought, so much so that I considered whether it was for me as a career move. Unlike other trades - plumbing for instance (and no disrespect to these guys either), you cock up in tiling and it is on view for all the world to see. Othert trades can "hide" errors more easily than the final finishing trades. Add to the fact that 2 or 3 kg of marble falling on you in the bath can cause a lot of damage to a person (child, god forbid) I think the job must be done properly.

Spending 500 notes to spend a day with a tiler could potentially be a waste of money, you don't know where he was trained, if at all, and if he is poor at what he does then he will teach you to be a poor tiler too!

At least reputable training schools use qualified, experienced tilers to teach. And yes, they are after your wonga, after all, that is their living, just like I am after the wonga of every customer that I tile for. That is the whole point of being in business.

Grumpy

Rad2474 · 24-10-2007

I did a course and am happy with what i learned. How many 'good' books do you buy to find out which one is the 'good book'? A book can't answer questions you want to ask.How do you know the tiler you pay to train you isn't a cowboy?why would he train you? you might take his business from him. Yes course centre's are a business and they are there to make money but if you do your research and use a good one you should have no regrets,just look at the feedback from where i did mine. NETT. Should have a poll Dan,how many people are short course and are doing ok.