UK Courses available for tilers

As a tiler, be that self-employed or employed through a contractor it is vitally important that you stay up to date with the latest techniques and industry best practices. Whether you're new to the trade or have been in the business for years, ongoing training and education can help you enhance your skills and stay ahead of the competition. Some tiler training can be expensive but there are some free courses available. We have gathered information on UK courses available which may be of benefit to you and your team. There are a variety of courses readily available to UK tilers that can help you take your skillset to the next level. In this blog, we'll outline some of the top free courses available and discuss how they can benefit you once you've completed them. 

Health and safety is a crucial aspect of any tiling project. The CITB Site Safety Plus - Health and Safety Awareness course is a free, one-day course that provides an overview of health and safety legislation, risk assessments, and site safety. This course will not only help you stay safe on the job, but it will also make you more marketable to potential clients who are looking for a tiler with a strong commitment to safety. 
 
The course covers a range of topics, including: 

• The main causes of accidents and ill health on construction sites 
• The importance of risk assessments and method statements 
• The legal responsibilities of employers and employees regarding health and safety 
• The importance of communication and cooperation on a construction site 
• The basics of working at height, manual handling, and fire safety 

The course is typically delivered over one day and includes a mix of classroom-based learning and interactive activities. Participants who successfully complete the course are awarded a CITB Site Safety Plus certificate, which is valid for five years. 

The Health and Safety Awareness course is often a prerequisite for obtaining a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Labourer card, which is required to work on many construction sites in the UK. This course is valued between £100 & £200 depending on the course provider.  

Manchester College offers a range of free tiling courses, from beginner to advanced levels. These courses cover a variety of topics, including wall and floor tiling, grouting, and cutting tiles. By taking one of these courses, you'll gain valuable hands-on experience and learn from industry professionals who can provide valuable insights into the tiling trade. The courses are taught by experienced tutors who have worked in the industry, and they are designed to provide students with hands-on practical experience as well as theoretical knowledge. The courses cover topics such as preparing surfaces, cutting tiles, laying tiles, grouting, and finishing. 

Manchester College offers several tiling courses, including: 
 
Level 1 Diploma in Wall and Floor Tiling 
Level 2 Diploma in Wall and Floor Tiling 
Level 3 Diploma in Wall and Floor Tiling 

The Level 1 course is ideal for beginners who have no previous experience in tiling. It covers basic tiling skills and techniques, including cutting tiles, preparing surfaces, and laying tiles. 

The Level 2 course is suitable for students who have completed the Level 1 course or have some basic tiling experience. It covers more advanced tiling skills, including complex cutting and laying patterns, tiling around corners and obstacles, and working with different types of tiles. 

The Level 3 course is designed for those who have completed the Level 2 course or have several years of experience in the tiling industry. It covers advanced tiling techniques, including working with natural stone tiles, installing underfloor heating systems, and creating decorative tiling designs. 

These courses are the perfect starting place for school leavers looking to pursue a career in tiling.   

The Tile Association (TTA) is a leading trade association for the tiling industry in the UK. The TTA Online Training Hub offers a range of free online courses for tilers, including courses on cutting and drilling tiles, working with natural stone, and fixing tiles to different substrates. By taking these courses, you'll gain valuable knowledge and skills that will make you more effective and efficient on the job.  The Tile Association Online Training Hub is an e-learning platform designed to provide online training courses for the tile industry. It is an initiative by The Tile Association, a trade association representing tile manufacturers, tile fixers, distributors, and retailers in the UK. 

The courses are delivered through a user-friendly online platform and are designed to be interactive and engaging. They include videos, quizzes, and assessments to help learners gauge their progress and ensure that they are understanding the course material. 

Some of the courses available on the TTA Online Training Hub include: 

• Basic Tiling Skills 
• Natural Stone Fixing 
• Large Format Tiling 
• External Tiling 
• Wet Room Installation 
• Tile Showroom Sales 

The TTA Online Training Hub is a flexible and convenient way for individuals and companies to access high-quality training courses from anywhere with an internet connection. It allows learners to work at their own pace and provides access to training materials 24/7. 

By completing a course on the TTA Online Training Hub, learners can earn a digital badge that demonstrates their knowledge and skills to potential employers or clients. 

The Instarmac Training Academy is a training program offered by Instarmac Group plc, a UK-based company that specializes in the manufacture and distribution of construction products, including tile adhesives, grouts, and surface repair materials. 
 
Some of the courses offered by the Instarmac Training Academy include but are not limited to: 

• Introduction to Tiling: This course is designed for beginners who want to learn the basic techniques of tiling, including surface preparation, adhesive application, and grouting. 
• Advanced Tiling: This course is suitable for experienced tilers who want to learn advanced techniques such as installing large format tiles, tiling around obstacles, and working with natural stone tiles. 
• External Tiling: This course focuses on installing tiles on external surfaces such as patios, balconies, and walkways. Participants will learn about the proper surface preparation, adhesive selection, and grouting techniques for external tiling. 
• Levelling Compounds: This course focuses on the proper use of levelling compounds, including surface preparation, mixing, and application techniques. 

The Instarmac Training Academy is led by experienced trainers who have extensive knowledge and expertise in the construction industry. The training courses are designed to be interactive and hands-on, with participants having the opportunity to practice the skills they learn in a simulated environment. 

The Mapei Training Academy offers free online bitesize training for tilers. They offer technical online training and courses to equip professionals in the construction industry. Their courses are delivered through webinars that cover local standards and how Mapei products and systems are the solutions to your project. Their courses are free and open to anyone who wants to participate. 

These courses include –  

• Ceramics  
• Subfloor Preparation  
• Mapewall  
• External Wall Installation 
• Ultracare Cleaning, Sealing & Maintenance solutions  
• Concrete Repair 
• Composite Strengthening  

So, how will these courses benefit you once you've completed them? Firstly, they will help you stay up-to-date with the latest industry best practices and techniques, which will make you a more effective tiler. Secondly, by completing recognised qualifications and training courses, you'll be able to demonstrate your expertise to potential clients and employers, which will help you win more business and increase your earnings. Finally, many of these courses cover health and safety topics, which will help you stay safe on the job and reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. 

If you're a tiler in the UK, taking advantage of these courses is a no-brainer. They will help you improve your skills, gain recognised qualifications, and stay safe on the job. So why not invest in your future today and sign up for one of these courses?