Hi All

Im just really looking for a little help. Im looking for a career change,im 37 so couldnt do a apprentiship due to large outgoings etc & would like to look into tiling. I have done a little tiling here & there but would like to do it as a career but just want to find out a few things. Are these tiling courses actually worth their money? i.e do they actaully teach you the basic fundamentals to start up as a competent tiler & be able to do a majority of day to day site/private work? I know you cant learn everything in a 3 week course but when I was at school tilers did YTS for 3 years to learn their trade. To have an eveyday set of tools i.e tiler cutters etc what is the rough cost of tools to get you started to be able to cope with a majority of day to day site & private work? Also do you need to have an NVQ to be able to do site work? If these courses dont give a full NVQ I assume it's then done by assessment of work? If thats the case would you have to complete & get assessed private work first before you gained enough "credits" to gain an NVQ qualification to allow you on site?
I have contacted a couple of companies on here for info & broucheres etc so waiting for their replies but any help would be greatly appreciated
Cheers
Lee

I done a tiling course with NETT i went to newcastle to do it and i can say that Darren n Tracy are wonderful people and darren really knows his stuff. Id never laid a tile before and now im quite confident at going doing it i have already done a couple of jobs and its still a learning curve but with NETT as a career change they will point you in the right direction the simplest way money well spent .....Rab

Short tiling courses do not provide you with an NVQ.. so don't let any of them try to tell you otherwise, and yes site work requires a cscs card and you need min NVQ1 to get on site as a tiler trade..

Min of 3 year to experience to gain an NVQ1 via OSAT or EWPA...

Originally Posted by lamsec

Hi All

Im just really looking for a little help. Im looking for a career change,im 37 so couldnt do a apprentiship due to large outgoings etc & would like to look into tiling. I have done a little tiling here & there but would like to do it as a career but just want to find out a few things. Are these tiling courses actually worth their money? i.e do they actaully teach you the basic fundamentals to start up as a competent tiler & be able to do a majority of day to day site/private work? I know you cant learn everything in a 3 week course but when I was at school tilers did YTS for 3 years to learn their trade. To have an eveyday set of tools i.e tiler cutters etc what is the rough cost of tools to get you started to be able to cope with a majority of day to day site & private work? Also do you need to have an NVQ to be able to do site work? If these courses dont give a full NVQ I assume it's then done by assessment of work? If thats the case would you have to complete & get assessed private work first before you gained enough "credits" to gain an NVQ qualification to allow you on site?
I have contacted a couple of companies on here for info & broucheres etc so waiting for their replies but any help would be greatly appreciated
Cheers
Lee

Hi Lee and welcome to the forum.
Great to see that you are interested in joining the trade. We are one of a few centres that can get you to NVQ level 2 but you are right that after you have completed your training course you will need to complete your NVQ portfolio whilst in the workplace. Feel free to give us a call on 01322 280202 and speak to one of our course advisors and all will be explained over the phone. Good luck

Is there any chance you could explain all on the forum or do you only do that on the phone?

hi lee,
ive actually just taken on a female tiler who has just spent £2500 on an intensive tiling course and after working with me for 3 weeks she says her money has been totally wasted as the course provided her with a perfect world were all is dead flat and level.Now in the real world she is learning how to get over major problems using levelling compounds and in instances re-bonding walls as they are so far out.My advice to you would be to try and tag along with an experienced tiler for a few months that way you will learn the trade properley.hope that helps.
good luck pete

Good advice Pete,

But a few months will not be a sufficient timescale. Also, the OP will not earn sufficient money to be able to justify this.

Select your short course carefully, (take the time to look at our courses feedback section) and aim to enter tiling by starting with the smaller easier jobs first.
As your confidence and knowledge grows you will be able to undertake more demanding and better paying work.

Regards,

Daz

Best option.... do your research... look for good local tilers in your area.... keep your money... offer your services for free, on the job training.. best way to learn initially..
I did a 3 day course to start with, but tiling on the job with a good experienced tiler is a better option.
Be enthusiastic, turn up on time, watchm listen and observe, dfo not ask too many questions initially, just follow his lead, do as you are asked.
give it a try.. we do not bite.. if I had a call from a genuine enthusiastic guy ( or gal ) offering their services for free, to learn I would happily oblige & also pay em a bit as well if they were worth their salt !!

Cheers for all the info. Im looking at various options & to be honest I have decided not to just throw in my current business but now to add another string to my bow so to speak. Seems to be alot of trainers etc out there so am keeping all my options open at the moment

Originally Posted by deanotile

Is there any chance you could explain all on the forum or do you only do that on the phone?

Its all explained in great detail on our website, Just need to click on the link.

Hi, I'm 36 and I started out earlier this year through training courses with my previous job having come to an end. The course and provider was excellent, cannot fault course content, however, i've found it really hard on 2 counts out in the real world - 1) don't underestimate how long it takes to get up and running depending on where you live, how many people you currently know etc; 2) be prepared to walk away from a fair few jobs initially because they're beyond what you can do right now and it would be irresponsible and only reflect badly when you get yourself in a mess beyond your experience. Which, all means financially i couldn't have done it without my wife picking up the strain financially.
Ironically, I'm considering more training as i'm looking at changing my business strategy from tiling/plastering in to more of a "handyman" style general small odd job work offering basic plumbing / painting / decorating etc etc aswell so i don't keep getting calls asking me to plaster large high artexed ceilings which is beyond my current skill to be honest and not really what i ever had in mind doing.