Wall and floor tilers affix ceramic, slate, marble and glass tiles to walls and floors, using glues, grout and cement. They frequently cut tiles in order to fill small edges or make particular patterns. Tiles provide both a decorative and protective function, especially in spaces that experience ongoing wet or damp conditions such as kitchens or bathrooms. Wall and floor tilers are needed wherever construction or building renovation takes place, and while the bulk of this occurs in the Perth metropolitan area there are still opportunities to work in this occupation in other areas of the state.
Specialisations
- Tiler
- Ceramic Tiler
- Mosaic Tiler
Knowledge Skills and Aptitude
- an aptitude for practical work and for following plans
- good vision and hand eye co-ordination
- to be able to do basic mathematical calculations
- good physical fitness
- good communication and interpersonal skills for dealing with customers
- an ability to be very precise and careful in their work
Education Training Requirements
To become a wall and floor tiler you usually need to complete an apprenticeship in Tile-laying or Wall and Floor Tiling (Housing), depending on the nature of the work you wish to do. A Tile-laying apprenticeship provides you with the skills you will need to work predominantly on commercial construction sites while the Wall and Floor Tiling (Housing) apprenticeship will provide the skills you will need to specialise in residential housing. The apprenticeship in Tile-laying takes three years full-time study to complete, whereas the apprenticeship in Wall and Floor Tiling (Housing) takes two years full-time study to complete. To improve your chances of gaining an apprenticeship, you can learn some relevant skills in wall and floor tiling through the Certificate II in Construction (Pre-Apprenticeship – Wall and Floor Tiling) . The certificate takes 6 months (1 semester) full time study to complete
Apprenticeships and Traineeship
As an apprentice, you enter into a formal training contract with an employer. You spend most of your time working and learning practical skills on the job and you spend some time undertaking structured training with a registered training provider of your choice. They will assess your skills and when you are competent in all areas, you will be awarded a nationally recognised qualification.
