Apprenticeships

Floor and Wall Tiler

Floor and Wall Tilers fix tiles to provide surface finishes to internal/external, vertical, horizontal, curved, angle and stepped or shaped surfaces. They also fix mosaic, chemical resistant tiles, marble tiles, natural stone and terracotta.

Eddie O'Brien, Tiler, D.D. O'Brien & Co. Ltd

The work includes setting out tiles, marking grid lines, and levelling datum lines and tile batons. It also involves fixing ceramic tiles to walls, floors and steps and laying vinyl tiles and sheet materials.

Floor and wall tilers generally work within the domestic and industrial sectors of the construction industry. They often consult with clients on the design and layout of work projects.

Floor and Wall Tilers require many skills including:

• Working with a variety of specialised hand and power tools
• Knowledge of a range of materials and adhesives
• Performing a range of measurements and calculations
• Interpreting drawings and diagrams
• Planning and organising

Phase 1: With Employer

• Induction Training
• Introduction to Health & Safety
• Introduction to Tools & Equipment
• Introduction to Basic Skills

Phase 2: Delivered in Training Centre (20 week)

Course Content: Induction Wall Tiling Floor Tiling Specialist Tiling Systems

Phase 3: With Employer

Work Based Training and Assessments

Phase 4: Delivered in Educational Colleges (10 weeks)
Course Content:

• Decorative Wall Tiling
• Mosaic Tiling
• Industrial Floor Tiling 

Phase 5: With Employer

Work Based Training and Assessments

The overall duration of this apprenticeship is a minimum of 4 years provided all phases are successfully completed.

On successful completion of the programme the learner is awarded a Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft – Floor & Wall Tiling.

As a Floor and Wall Tiler you will need to be physically active and to be able to work with your hands.

An awareness of health and safety and good housekeeping is essential as well as attention to detail and an eye for the aesthetic.

The Floor and Wall Tiler must have the ability to:

• Plan, Organise and Communicate effectively
• Solve problems
• Work independently and as part of a team
• Show a positive attitude
• Recognise the need for good customer relations
• Demonstrate good work practices including time keeping, tidiness, responsibility, quality awareness and safety awareness

Note: A person wishing to become an apprentice Tiler must pass a colour–vision test approved by SOLAS.

• Learning and developing new practical craft-related skills, knowledge and competence
• Working with and learning from experienced craftspersons
• Seeing a job through from start to finish
• Comply with Health and Safety requirements
• Working with technical drawings and diagrams
• Being accurate with numbers in counting, measuring and arithmetic
• Being well organised and careful with practical tasks
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Using tools and machinery
• Being aware of how colours and shapes are used in design
• Working at height
• Working mainly outdoors
• Lifting or carrying heavy items
• Being physically active
• Taking responsibility for own learning, including the allocation of study time
• Bending, kneeling and working in cramped and awkward spaces
• Passing all your phase exams (theory, practicals skills demonstration)
• Earning as you learn

The minimum age at which the employment of an apprentice may commence is 16 years of age.

The minimum educational requirements are:

1. Grade D in five subjects in the Department of Education & Skills Junior Certificate Examination or an approved equivalent,
or
2. The successful completion of an approved Pre-Apprenticeship course 
or 
3. Three years’ work experience gained over sixteen years of age in a relevant designated industrial activity as SOLAS shall deem acceptable 

Note: These are the current approved minimum educational requirements for apprenticeship programmes, however, previous experience of the following subjects would be an advantage but not essential:

• Mathematics
• Technical Drawing/Graphics
• Construction Studies
• Technology

You must obtain employment as an apprentice in your chosen occupation.

• The employer must be approved to train apprentices.
• The employer must register you as an apprentice within two weeks of recruitment.

Note: Floor & Wall Tiler Apprenticeship applicants are required to pass a colour vision test approved by SOLAS.

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On successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, apprentices are qualified to work within the recognised trade or profession. 

Where apprentices and craftspersons have the necessary ability, initiative and basic qualifications, opportunities are available for advancement. These include advanced technology courses and management courses which are available in Institutes of Technology, Schools of Management and Professional Institutes.

Many craftspersons use their apprenticeship qualification as a platform to launch careers such as engineers, managers, teachers and instructors amongst others.

For those with entrepreneurial flair, starting your own business is also very desirable.