Nvq Tiling Courses

[Tile Shop]

After my first proper attempt before the xmas break, I grant you it wasn't great, but I quite enjoyed tiling.

I work in Customer Service with my main emphasis on specing, CADing tiling projects, answering technical queries and liaising with the more brainy technical departments of BAL, Schluter, Mapei blah-de-blah etc etc to name but a few.

I joined this forum to gain some extra knowledge but am now thinking that I should take this one step further. I've been promised by the bosses at W&F that I will spend time with an experienced tiler, go on training courses with our suppliers etc. But as of yet (through no fault of theirs) it hasn't yet been possible. So I'm going to fork out of my own pocket to go on a multi-weekend NVQ Tiling course and claim the money back (hopefully) and do it alongside my current job. Not only because it will help me in my current role, but also opens up more possibilities and maybe a new career later in the future.

So I'm reaching out to people who have done these courses before or anyone who has any knowledge of them, who can advise me how helpful these courses really are. I know I'll get a qualification at the end of it, but how much "real" experience will I gain? Is it like passing your driving test and then really learning to drive once you're out on your own? or are the courses enough on their own to get you started in a new career or help me to verbally advise people "how to"?

Also regarding the CSCS cards. The NVQ levels available are 2, 3 and 4+ and also grant you either a blue, gold or black card at the end. Whats the difference between the different level courses and the cards?

Any input gratefully received.

 

[Aston]

Can i just add something.

Right, a 2 week course will give you 2 weeks experience...no, seriously, think about it??? 2 weeks course = 2 weeks experience...now when you think about it, what can you really take from 2 weeks. You cannot condition much in 2 weeks, you will forget 50% of it after 1 week and in the real world, its so insignificant it really doesnt register....most of the time people are hooked by the qualification but in reality, it will count for nothing except the paper its written on..forget short cuts and quick fixes, they dont exist, just accept, it will take between 3-5 years to be decent at wall and floor tiling because thats the truth and it could take longer if your only experience is a 2 week course followed by you tube and forum tuition.

Tbo, i have been in the construction game since 1985 but tiling had been a big part of my life since 2006, so 10 years on and im still learning new things every day. Master the basics and then keep progressing in every area, when you have done that, dont get carried away, accept that there will be more to come because thats tiling...people dont change much but tiles, adhesives and methods seem to be changing by the month ;0)

 

[One Day]

And no matter how much experience you have, or however many qualifications you might have; you still have to deal with the resultant mess that builders, plasterers, plumbers etc create and leave behind.
To be a really good tiler you have to be able to swim right through the sea of stupidity and ignorance in order to deliver a first rate job. And that takes a lot of time, skill, endurance, patience and experience.

 

[Jaclyn Fiddyment]

any advice how to get started? I've emailed 15 tilers in my local area and offered free help to get experience but no luck with responses...any suggestions of what to do next? Thanks

 

[Old Mod]

They probably think you're winding them up haha
Why not have a scout round your local area for a large building sites and firstly speak to the site office explaning why you're there and see if they will introduce you to either the Tilers or the tiling contractor in question.
I can't see any bona fide contractor turning down free help!

 

[Chalker]

That's the trouble. You just emailed them!
I get a formatted letter from apprentices from our local college, at least once a month. They are all the same, with the name inserted. I pop them in the bin. Same with formatted emails.
Firstly, if you contact any business. Do your reaserch , most people research a new tv more than the company they are looking to work for.
Once you have found out some info. Quite simply ring up! If you get no reply, go and see them at work or home, (smartly dressed and hide the phone) .
Offer to work for free for a week.
All this will impress and show your interested.

 

[MTiler]

As I have a CSCS Skilled Worker Blue Card for site work do I still need to do the CITB H&S Awareness course?
I ask as a Contractor I often work for sent out a email to his employees and subbies saying we need to do the course for site work as its been asked for, but as we all do different work we're all gonna have different cards, if any.
Looking into it the course sites say its the first step to a Labourers Green card.

cheers
Sharon

 

[smudger85]

Good evening to all.

I've been working with a tiler,full time for just over 3 years now. Love my job and we are very busy with a variety of jobs from Kia show rooms to Victorian hall ways etc
The chap I work with doesn't have any qualifications as such (eg nvq2/3 or city &guilds) but does have 17 years experience.
He says I don't need nvq's etc but I would just like to get a few other opinions really.
Id like to learn as much as I can and want to be taught right. I want to do things properly so I can legitimately call myself a professional tiler at some point.

Any feed back would be great

Thanks Danny

 

[White Room]

If you wanted to go on site as a skilled worker you would need an nvq to get the blue card plus a cscs for H&S which is required on all sites.

Do you have a cscs card working for the guy your with now ?

 

[smudger85]

Thanks for the reply
No I don't have a cscs card as we never do site work with the exception of the Kia garage. We just work for small builders really who do a few houses at a time and big extensions. With a few domestics thrown in for good measure.

 

[White Room]

Thanks for the reply
No I don't have a cscs card as we never do site work with the exception of the Kia garage. We just work for small builders really who do a few houses at a time and big extensions. With a few domestics thrown in for good measure.

One day you may want to do bigger site works rather than just builders then an nvq would be required.