Wall and floor tile fixer

Wall and floor tiles are used on all types of projects, for example domestic, industrial, commercial, leisure and sport, retail and food and drink. They might work in a bathroom one week and the next week in a large factory or office block. Tiles are made from a range of materials, including stone, ceramic or marble.

Tilers work from drawings and written or verbal instructions. They measure the area to be tiled and calculate the minimum number of tiles required, taking into account pattern and design. To prepare the background to receive tiling, they may need to level the surface. Levels must be correct before a single tile is placed.

They then spread adhesive with a specialised notched trowel and lay the tiles in the desired pattern. They will have to cut tiles to fit around walls and obstacles, such as pipework, using hand-held or bench-mounted cutters. After the adhesive has dried, the joints between the tiles are filled with grout.

A wide variety of tiling arrangements are possible, and tiles usually have to be placed according to a client's design. Tilers can achieve some spectacular results by using different coloured and textured tiles in plain or patterned arrangements. They may use mosaic tiles to create a mural or decorative effect.

On large projects, tilers may work in teams. On smaller jobs, they may work alone or with a trainee or assistant. All tilers carry out the full range of basic tiling tasks, but more experienced tilers may also specialise in one or a few areas of work, such as mosaics.

Hours and environment

The usual working week is 37.5 hours, Monday to Friday, but times may vary to make the most of daylight hours or to avoid disrupting businesses. Self-employed tilers are likely to work additional hours, especially when first becoming established. Overtime at weekends or in the evenings is common because tiling may have to be done outside normal working hours.

Tilers can work in and out doors in domestic, industrial, commercial, leisure and sport, retail and food and drink projects. These may be under construction or already occupied.

The work can involve travelling, which may be local or further afield. Wall and floor tilers may have to work away from home for short or long periods.

A full UK driving licence is useful.

Skills and personal qualities

Tilers should:

have practical skills
be careful and methodical
be able to carry out the various tasks in the correct order
have a basic understanding of maths - important for measuring and calculating quantities of materials
have colour sense and an appreciation of design when designing or matching patterns
be able to work alone or as part of a team
be presentable and have a pleasant manner
have a reasonable level of physical fitness.

Training

Most people learn practical skills on the job and attend college or a training centre on block release to gain NVQs/SVQs in Wall and Floor Tiling up to Level 4.

There are a number of associated training centres all of which are listed on the TTA website in the directory under training. Trainees may have to be prepared to stay away from home during their periods of block release.

Getting in

Tile fixers may work for specialist tiling firms. Some firms specialise in particular types of work.

The majority of tilers are either directly employed or sub-contractors. Sub-contractors are self-employed and may work on their own. Visit the B-Constructive website at www.bconstructive.co.uk or the CITB ConstructionSkills website at www.citb.org.uk for information about a career in construction.

It is advisable to approach local employers direct and if possible arrange some work experience before leaving school. It is also advisable for young people to contact their local Construction Skills area office as the Construction Skills have a list of companies registered with them.

Getting on

Qualified and experienced tilers can progress to technical, supervisory and managerial roles. They can also move into specialised areas of work.

Further information

The Tile Association, Forum Court, 83 Copers Cope Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1NR. 020 8663 0946.

CITB-ConstructionSkills, Bircham Newton Training Centre, Bircham Newton, King's Lynn, Norfolk PE31 6RH. 0808 100 0055. Websites: www.citb.co.uk/careers (for careers advisers, teachers and adults) and www.bconstructive.co.uk (for young people)

Construction Apprenticeship Scheme Helpline: 01485 577877.