Tile industry teamwork is what powers so much of the awareness of quality labor and the importance of tile industry installation standards and best practices.
Not only do you see it happening within the Top Tile Associations and Organizations, but you see it regularly in action when hands-on Certified Tile Installer (CTI) evaluations take place, starting with the tile companies that host the evaluations.
Here's a perfect example of the type of industry teamwork we're talking about. Mark Heinlein CTI #1112 and CTEF/CTI Evaluator, pictured above (and in the video below) with Artistic Tile owners Diane and Carl Dubberly, explains how much teamwork is involved for such an event.
Artistic Tile in Nashua, New Hampshire, hosted a CTI hands-on evaluation test in their work area on site. 11 people were registered to take the test, including installers from Artistic Tile and other organizations.
Some background on Artistic Tile:
Next, you have those who've decided to become Certified Tile Installers and take the hands-on evaluation.
In the case of this test taking place at Artistic Tile in Nashua, of the 11 persons taking the test, 10 were taking it for the first time and 1 was re-testing.
All but one of the 11 finished the test in the allotted time. This is an excellent result in itself and is a reflection on the organization of the host and appropriateness of the test location.
As Mark details,
"I recognize that each person putting themselves through this experience is taking a big step forward and putting their pride, ego, skills, reputation and performance on the line. It is a big deal for them and I approach it seriously. Nearly every person who takes the CTI admits to it being a humbling and generally a great experience. I am certain the installers left with a renewed understanding of the application of industry standards and empowered to improve their marketability."
>> See 5 Benefits of Being a Certified Tile Installer
In addition to the CTI evaluation, this event offered excellent real time training to two future CTEF CTI Regional Evaluators.
The extra time taken for evaluator training meant that each CTI test taker got to witness the detailed evaluation and discussion of his or her installation work firsthand.
Who's to say who learned more?
A lot of teamwork is necessary to bring one of these evaluations together once a group of installers is ready and interested in taking the test.
From a CTEF Staff perspective, Scott Carothers, Kevin Insalato and Cathey McAlister work with the installers and the host location - in this case Artistic Tile - to register, schedule and align all of the moving parts.
>> See Why Scott Carothers Cares Intensely About Tile Installation Certification and Education
>> See Kevin Insalato Promotes Tile Installation Certification
Then, there's also all those in the tile industry who financially support the training, education and certification work of CTEF:
>> See CTEF Friends and Sponsors Make Quality Tile Installation Possible
>> See Coverings Now Elite CTEF SponsorWhat also makes the CTI program stand out is how many tile industry members want to witness and support the program.
Not only are these big events to schedule and coordinate, with many moving parts that must come into alignment, but the hands-on test itself is physically and mentally draining for the test takers and the evaluation team.
In the case of the event at Artistic Tile,
>> See Video Details Hands-on Certified Tile Installer (CTI) Test
For those who take the CTI test and the businesses supporting the test-takers, the payoff is certainly about truly becoming Qualified Labor based on tile industry standards.
It's also about supporting the tile industry and everyone who believes in delivering quality tile installations.
Special thanks to Diane and Carl Dubberly for hosting a CTI hands-on test at their Artistic Tile in Nashua, New Hampshire. The preparation, generosity, professionalism and hospitality they provided made this evaluation a great success for everyone.