Apprenticeship training course

Wall and floor tiler (level 2)

Tiling walls and floors.

• Qualification level: 2 ; Equivalent to GCSE.
• Typical duration: 30 months
• Apprenticeship category: Construction and the built environment
• Maximum funding: £9,000 ; Maximum amount government will fund ; for apprenticeship training.
• Skills:
  Skills an apprentice will learn

  • Identify and minimise hazards and risks in the workplace, ensuring a safe environment is maintained at all times. Follow safety procedures, risk assessments, method statements and work instructions
  • Make the most efficient and effective use of resources, time and materials.
  • Select, use, maintain and store tiling tools and equipment
  • Prepare backgrounds, install wall and floor tiles and produce finished work that conforms to British Standards BS5385:1-5 and BS8000:11.
  • Report accidents or incidents in the workplace in accordance with organisational and legislative requirements
  • Prepare for meetings with customers and use appropriate listening and questioning techniques when discussing product selection
  • Review and check that the specification meets the requirements of the customer in-line with industry standard and aesthetic requirements
  • Interpret drawings, quality standards and specifications
  • Identify different Industry sectors e.g. new construction, social housing, residential, refurbishment, commercial, heritage
  • Identify different building methods e.g. steel frame, reinforced concrete frame, traditional (solid wall and cavity wall) timber frame
  • Use the appropriate method of preparation and fixing for the work environment and product being installed
  • Identify various types of fixing and installation methods from traditional render and screed to modern adhesives and grouts
  • Interpret technical product data, drawing, specifications, manufacturer’s information, Codes of Practice and British Standards to ensure correct preparation and installation of wall and floor tiles and associated systems
  • Interpret relevant health and safety requirements: method statements, risk assessments, CoSHH according to product and specification requirements
  • Advise clients/customers on the different types and sizes of wall and floor tiles, and ancillary products and the materials they are manufactured from e.g. ceramic, porcelain, stone, plastic
  • Revert to Manufacturers’ product information to avoid errors
  • Identify and rectify common preparation, fixing and installation problems
  • Identify substrate type and condition to determine appropriate preparation methods/products
  • Select materials including: wall and floor tiles, primers, levelling compounds, screeds, adhesives, grouts, trims and ancillaries suitable for the substrates, tile products and installation environment
  • Select suitable hand and power tools and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Calculate required amounts of tiles, materials and resources for the work requirements
  • Prepare wall and floor backgrounds (including level and plumb) using primers, renders, levelling compounds and screeds
  • Set-out for tiling wall and floor areas, ensuring mall cut tiles are avoided as far as practical and joint widths are consistent, parallel and plumb.
  • Measure, mark & cut tiles in accordance with work requirements to include cutting around obstacles such as pipes, sockets and drains
  • Apply adhesives and fix tiles to wall and floor surfaces
  • Grout and finish tiles to wall and floor areas
  • Install tanking systems, decoupling membranes and electric under-tile heating
  • Undertake remedial work in accordance with specification.
  • Be able to remove and replace individual damaged tiles without causing damage to adjacent finishes

Full information on Wall and floor tiler (level 2) is available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

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