How long to learn?

[peadee]

I have been thinking of attending a tiling course but I'm not convinced of their ability to teach me what's needed in 2 weeks. My thoughts are now moving towards offering myself as a tilers lacky, I would not need to be paid, just taught. If I did manage to get someone to take me on, how long would it take to learn the ropes? I work shifts(4 on and 4 off) so I would be prepared to work on my days off. And if you see this and would be interested in some extra help, let me know. I'm in Failsworth in Manchester.

[beanz]

I'd still consider doing a course as well. You could be doing jobs for friends and family in your days off; you'll learn at a far faster rate, having to do it all for yourself. Are any of your mates tradesmen? Always useful if you get to a problem and don't know what to do, as well as your favourite tiling forum..

[kilty55]

hi mate,personally id do the course and i would also try and get work with another tiler as there labourer after the course if you feel you need to pick up on the job training/experience,,,during this time you could be doing your own home/friends and family as well until your up to speed,i feel you will learn more doing a course than labouring for a tiler but both would be benificial

[mikethetile]

as you suspect you cant learn the trade on a two week course, but you can learn the basics which is a good basis to learn from, check if your local tech college do an nvq tiling course

and of course once you have been through college and learnt it all in theory you go into the real world and learn the practical and quick way to tile

[peadee]

Thanks for the advice. I might do the course and then try and pimp myself out for somebody looking for a skivvy!
How did you all get in to the tiling game. Did you learn from a tiler or have you been on a course? Also, how long have you been at it and is there work out there for tilers at the moment?

[kilty55]

lol peadea thats the way mate pimp it! seriously though

i did a course,and planned to do a further course but ended up getting jobs straight away,,so just went for it,,every job i have done i have sourced info from this forum,its invaluable,also have had good after course support from training school and also have been working with other tilers from school along the way,i have since been back to the school twice for short courses .

last year was my 1st year and ended up being brilliant and very busy,this year so far however has been the opposite with lots of cancellations and not many jobs landed however some of the guys here are still busy ,to be honest i think it would be tough slog starting up right now and might end up putting you off for the future. thats my 2 pence worth good luck mate

[beanz]

I did the 1 week course (including Natural Stone) at NETT in November last year, so still early days for me. Finding it tough at the moment to even get friend n family jobs, as no-one wants to spend the money (even with free labour). I've done a couple of small jobs (repairs), but i've had 3 bathrooms on the horizon since before christmas that never seem to materialise!?! One waiting on getting their shower fixed, one waiting to knock out a wall etc (but the guy's just come out of hospital for a new knee), and the 3rd will probably never happen (one of those people that SAY they want things, but don't really lol).

On the other hand, i'm getting plenty of painting..... Bloody hate painting!

[whitebeam]

Learn as much a you can but as long as you live you allways be learning something new

[faithhealer]

I have been thinking of attending a tiling course but I'm not convinced of their ability to teach me what's needed in 2 weeks. My thoughts are now moving towards offering myself as a tilers lacky, I would not need to be paid, just taught. If I did manage to get someone to take me on, how long would it take to learn the ropes? I work shifts(4 on and 4 off) so I would be prepared to work on my days off. And if you see this and would be interested in some extra help, let me know. I'm in Failsworth in Manchester.

Hi peedee, it's been said before, that you can get a good tiler off a one week course and some never make it if they trained for a year! it's the individual and reading these forums will give you a very good insight.
Best of British mate

[cornish_crofter]

As has been said, some people have an aptitued for this. I could never be an athalete as my coordination is really bad, but oddly enough I was quite good at sailing in my younger days. My size also made me a good crew for trapeze harness boats (Ospreys and the like).

I have never been on a course but do have an aptitude for this and other trades. Having said that an aptitude is not enough. You need a certain amount of knowledge and this is where this forum has helped out a lot.

The trick is to weigh up a job and know when the sope of your knowledge is left wanting. Then you can fill the gaps before you start.

[Toppa]

I did a course at NETT with my mate, we both never tiled before the course. Since the course we have completed about 15 jobs learning on every job. I now am 100% confident i can tackle any job. You learn the basics on the course but then learn your own standard with each cut.

[doug boardley]

been at it 27 years and still learning!

[whitebeam]

What about tiling though

[doug boardley]

lol