Tiling apprenticeships – Everything you need to know
Tiling is one of the trades most widely employed in the construction industry.
Wall and floor tilers will work on construction sites in new residential and commercial building projects, and for private customers making alterations or upgrades to bathrooms or kitchens. Roof tilers or roof operatives predominantly work outside, tiling complete roofs, or specialising in areas like sheeting or cladding. Roof operatives fix tiles and mend roofs. Tilers of all descriptions need to have good attention to detail, excellent practical skills and a reasonable level of numeracy to calculate the amount of tiles needed for jobs.
Apprenticeships are one of the most popular routes to a tiling career, but what should you expect from a tiling apprenticeship?
Wall & floor tiling apprenticeships
Wall & floor tiling apprenticeships will give you the essential skills to work as a tiler, including using specific tools, working with different types of tiles, preparing surfaces, cutting tiles and observing health and safety in the working environment.
These are the main NVQ apprenticeship tiling qualifications:
- Level 1 Diploma in Wall and Floor Tiling
- Level 1 Certificate in Wall and Floor Tiling
- Level 2 Diploma in Wall and Floor Tiling
- Level 2 Certificate in Wall and Floor Tiling for Property Maintenance
- Level 3 Diploma in Wall and Floor Tiling.
Each level will require apprentices to work on construction sites, for which you will need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.
The length of tiling apprenticeship courses will vary, depending on the amount of an apprentice’s time that is given over to training. Ideally apprentices spend around 20% (or a day every week) with their training provider. Some courses will be offered at training centres where they can be completed in a 6-week period of intensive training.
Achieving the Level 2 certificate will take a tiling apprentice, new to the trade and over the course of a regular apprenticeship, around three years.
No specific subjects are required for apprenticeships in wall and floor tiling. However, English and maths are always highly valued by employers. Maths is handy for tilers when working out tile coverage.
For entry onto the Level 1 tiling course apprentices will usually need to have at least two GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G). The Level 2 Diploma and Certificate requires two GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or completion of Level 1.
Scotland
In Scotland, modern apprenticeships are offered in wall and floor tiling. These lead to an SVQ Level 3 qualification, which are equivalent to NVQ Level 3. No formal qualifications are required to begin a modern apprenticeship in wall and floor tiling.
Wales
To be accepted onto a wall and floor tiling intermediate apprenticeship in Wales, applicants should have five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C). But entry requirements will vary across providers, and some tiling apprenticeship programmes in Wales do not require any qualifications.
In England the highest apprenticeship qualification that can be achieved is the Level 3 Diploma in Wall and Floor Tiling. This recognises the competence of advanced wall and floor tilers and confers ‘Gold’ status to your CSCS card.
The CITB NCC roof slating & tiling apprenticeship course
The CITB NCC roof slating & tiling apprenticeship course is for roofing operatives and gives apprentices a qualification in roof slating and tiling. During the course apprentices learn how to use plain and interlocking tiles, natural slates and other materials to cover valleys, hips and general roofing areas.
The course covers things like the safe use of ladders, manual handling, safe working practices, building methods, construction technology and installation techniques.
Teaching takes place over a two-year period at one of CITB’s training centres, with apprentices spending a total of 20 weeks at college in that time.
There are no formal entry requirements for this CITB course, but GCSE passes at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths would be useful.
Scotland
Scotland offers a modern apprenticeship in roofing occupations, but there are no set entry requirements. Applicants should have some practical skills and an interest in the construction industry.
Wales
In Wales there are intermediate apprenticeships in Roofing, and more general construction apprenticeships. Applicants with four GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G) will be enough for entry onto the NVQ 1 level course. But entry requirements will vary, and some tiling apprenticeship programmes in Wales will not require any qualifications.
The CITB NCC roof slating & tiling apprenticeship course has three qualifications:
- Level 2 NVQ Construction Diploma in Roof Slating and Tiling
- Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Roofing Operations
- Level 1 Functional Skills.
Explore construction apprenticeships at Talentview
Learn more about apprenticeships and how they can help progress your career. Search for an apprenticeship in wall and floor tiling or roofing on Talentview. You will be able to apply for apprenticeships on Talentview by uploading your CV or applying directly to the employer.
Find out more about construction apprenticeships
Wall and floor tiling and roof tiling are just two of hundreds of apprenticeships available in the construction industry. Earn while you learn and gain the qualifications and experience you need for a role in the construction sector.