WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A TILER

Wall and floor tilers lay ceramic, marble, clay, glass, slate and other types of tiles on walls and floors to provide finishes that are both decorative and protective.

Daily tasks for a tiler may include the following:

• Take surface measurements or review job specifications to work out quantity of materials needed for a job
• Prepare surfaces for tiling by removing old tiles, grout, cement and adhesive
• Fill any holes or cracks and clean all surfaces
• Use tile-cutting tools to prepare tiles for edges and corners or around obstacles such as pipes
• Attach tiles to surface using correct adhesive, ensuring that the tiling pattern is correct
• Apply waterproofing

It is important to consider that the job involves working in confined spaces and at heights and requires heavy lifting.

QUALIFICATIONS

An Apprenticeship in General Construction (Wall and Floor Tiling) is needed to become a tiler. Entry requirements may vary, but a completion of year 10 schooling is usually required by employers. Training is provided both on and off-the-job and usually requires a commitment of 3-4 years.

Traits that employers look out for is be capable of physical work, able to work at heights, good hand-eye coordination and the ability to make simple calculations.