Lippage occurs entirely too often, making three specific hazards way too prevalent, and definitely ones you should avoid. More specifically,
In addition to considering Tile Apprenticeships and Vocational Schools, have you thought about using your expertise and local knowledge to help get tile setting included in the SkillsUSA competitions?
Are you familiar with the Global Monumental Hand-Print Tile Industry Mural Project?
It's a massively big project, conceived by the Tile Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to research and the preservation of ceramic surfaces. The mural honors all who participate in and contribute to the tile industry; it also supports Tile Heritage's vital tile industry archiving work.
Will you participate?
Are you familiar with Total Solutions Plus (TSP)? It's a yearly event that brings together the ceramic tile industry to network and learn from one another. It's also a testament to the high level of collaboration that exists within the entire industry.
No wonder you see "Partners in Progress" prominently highlighted!
Are you involved in apprenticeship programs, vocational and/or trade schools for tile installation help? If your answer is no, why not?
Let's discuss the present and future of tile and the need for Qualified Labor.
Are you familiar with Tile Money? Created by tile contractor Luke Miller, this podcast/YouTube channel is all about helping other tile contractors run a successful and profitable tile business:
"Tile Money is the source of business knowledge and advice for today’s Tile Contractor."
If you've spent any time in the tile industry, care deeply about quality tile installation, and embrace installing tile according to industry standards, you will have heard of Scott Carothers, director of certification and training for the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF).
And, if you follow the CTEF Blog, you’re surely familiar with the ‘Ask Scott’ article series.
However, if you're new to tile and just exploring tile installation certification, Scott is someone you will soon encounter and quickly appreciate for his deep knowledge, high standards and intense passion. Not to mention his firsthand involvement in certification, both for the Certified Tile Installer (CTI) program and the Advanced Certifications for Installers (ACT) program.
For Mike Sima CTI #1254, that's what it's all about and why he became a Certified Tile Installer.
Mike is next in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor based on articles in TileLetter.com published in June 2017 titled Certification: education and credentials add value to services offered by Mike Sima, Midtown Tile.
Did you experience Hidden Oasis at Coverings 2019? It was one of the three stunning installations featured in the newly expanded Installation & Design Experience incorporated into the National Tile Contractors Association Booth.
Brad Denny, vice president and COO of Nichols Tile & Terrazzo Co, Inc., a Five Star Contractor of the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) located outside of Nashville, TN, led the installation team behind this vignette. Brad is also Certified Tile Installer #1190 and intensely active in the tile industry:
One of the highlights of Coverings, the yearly global tile and stone experience, is bringing together tile installation and design expertise to create the impossible under tight deadlines.
During Coverings 2019, this event was part of the newly expanded Installation & Design Experience incorporated into the National Tile Contractors Association Booth and included three vignettes.
Certified Tile Installer Mike Corona says,
You don't become a tile installer or a business owner overnight. It takes time, enthusiasm, pride, reliability, respectfulness, a willingness to learn, and dedication. No two jobs are the same; each one has its own unique nuances. As a qualified installer, you need to be able to communicate how to deal with those nuances and qualify yourself to not only meet but exceed expectations. Being qualified will exponentially increase your value and you will have endless opportunities.
Mike Corona CTI #923 Corona Marble and Tile
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The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) provides education and installer certification for professionals working in the ceramic tile and stone industry.
The CTEF Certified Tile Installer (CTI) program is the only third-party assessment of installer skill and knowledge that is recognized by the tile industry.