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CTEF Blog - About Tile Education and Installer Certification

Add Credibility to Your Tile Installation Business Says Kris Nardone

[fa icon="calendar'] May 21, 2019 8:45:00 AM / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Qualified Labor Series

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Every Certified Tile Installer has his or her own story for wanting to become a CTI. In the case of Kris Nardone CTI #1364, it had to do with adding credibility to his installation business. 

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Prove Your Tile Installation Skills Says John Mourelatos

[fa icon="calendar'] Apr 16, 2019 8:30:00 AM / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Qualified Labor Series

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How do you prove yourself as a tile installation professional? For John Mourelatos CTI #1290, it involves becoming a Certified Tile Installer (CTI). John is next in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor based on articles in TileLetter.com published in April 2017 and May 2015. 

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Why Use Qualified Labor from WhyTile!

[fa icon="calendar'] Apr 9, 2019 8:30:00 AM / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Qualified Labor Series

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In anticipation of Coverings 2019, WhyTile has released a series of videos in support of Qualified Labor. Since it's such an important subject, we're recapturing the videos here and including relevant references from articles we've published.

We look forward to seeing you at Coverings!  

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The Certified Tile Installers Credo

[fa icon="calendar'] Apr 2, 2019 8:30:00 AM / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Certified Tile Installer Program, Qualified Labor Series

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Just in time for Coverings, we've created the Tile Installer Credo which consists of ten core tile installation beliefs.

If you've been following this blog, you're probably familiar with them as these are principles we don't take lightly.  These beliefs keep us up at night; they motivate us to be active in the tile industry and seek out every opportunity to make believers of all those who still doubt and don't follow the industry standards and best practices for installing tile. 

Here they are. Will you help us get the word out?

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Dan Hecox Inspires Designers, Tile Installers to Aspire to Higher Standards

[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 12, 2019 9:30:00 AM / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Qualified Labor Series

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Inspiring those around him to aspire to higher tile standards seems second-nature to Dan Hecox, founder of Hecox Construction in York, Nebraska. That's what he does as NTCA Nebraska State Ambassador and as a Regional Evaluator for the Certified Tile Installer Program

Dan Hecox CTI #1215 is next in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor based on several articles in TileLetter.com. More specifically, 

>> Dan Hecox Presents to A&D Students at University of Nebraska – Lincoln 

>> Member Spotlight – Hecox Construction, Inc. 

>> Qualified Labor – January 2018 – Sark Tile Supports Education by Hosting NTCA Workshop and CTI Exam

>> NTCA Nebraska State Ambassador establishes local CTI testing

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Money Won't Buy You Tile Certification

[fa icon="calendar'] Jan 29, 2019 11:45:00 AM / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Qualified Labor Series

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To borrow from the original Fab Four, money won't buy you tile certification.  Rather it's your experience and skill as a tile setter that allows you to validate your tile installation skills as a Certified Tile Installer.

That's according to Mike McLawhorn CTI #188 and Territory Sales Manager for HB Fuller. 

Mike is next in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor based on an article in TileLetter.com titled Mike McLawhorn: CTI credentials are confirmation of tile setter knowledge that money can’t buy.

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Meet CTI #1500: Alex Smith of Boone, NC

[fa icon="calendar'] Oct 30, 2018 8:30:00 AM / by CTEF Blog Team posted in About CTEF, Qualified Labor Series

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As you might imagine, we love celebrating milestones especially when they reflect hard work and appreciation for the importance of installing tile correctly the first time, adhering to tile installation standards and methods, and generally making Qualified Labor meaningful.

Here's a perfect example: Alex Smith who, after not completing the hands-on portion of the Certified Tile Installer program test in 2015, returned, passed and became CTI #1500. That's a milestone from many perspectives.

We caught up with Alex to learn more about him and his love of tile installation.

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Become a Certified Tile Installer Says Bill Baptista CTI #834

[fa icon="calendar'] Oct 23, 2018 8:30:00 AM / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Qualified Labor Series

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If you're serious about installing tile as a profession, you'll become a Certified Tile Installer. That's according to Bill Baptista CTI #834, who feels strongly about certification as a differentiator.

Bill is next in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor based on an article in TileLetter.com titled Bill Baptista: “Don't Be Left Behind; Get Certified”

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The First Ever CTI Challenge - Coverings 2018

[fa icon="calendar'] Jul 10, 2018 8:30:00 AM / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Installation + Design, Qualified Labor Series

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Did you have a chance to witness the first ever CTI Challenge? It took place during Coverings 2018 in the Installation Experience space, pitting two intensely passionate Certified Tile Installer teams to complete an ambitious installation over three days. The installation had to meet tile industry standards and guidelines.  

Here's a recap.

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There's Real Value to Being a Certified Tile Installer

[fa icon="calendar'] May 1, 2018 8:30:00 AM / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Qualified Labor Series

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According to Steve Brace CTI #1152, becoming a Certified Tile Installer has delivered value not just to his customers, but also to his business.

Steve is next in the CTEF Blog series about Qualified Labor based on an article in TileLetter.com titled "Certification translates directly to increased business, fees and knowledge about details of the trade."

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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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Mike Corona CTI #923
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