Is becoming a professional tiler something that has sparked your interest? Find out more about how to become a tiler and take those first steps towards switching your career.

Perhaps you’re looking for a more hands-on job, or one that allows you to get in touch with your creative side — there are plenty of reasons why the profession might stand out as a potential new direction. 

Many tilers also go on to start their own businesses, meaning once you’ve built some experience you could be in a position to work for yourself, setting your own hours and rates.

What might the day-to-day look like?

The day-to-day routine for tilers will vary depending on whether you work in a domestic or commercial setting. 

However, some of the most common tasks you can expect to carry out will likely include: meeting and speaking to potential customers; repairing and removing old tiles and surfaces; prepping work areas; supplying cost and time estimates and, of course, cutting, shaping and mounting tiles.

Can I fit training around my current job? 

Understandably, for many people, the time commitment that comes with training in a new profession can be a big hurdle. However, the industry is now more accessible than ever, with many construction training providers offering courses on a part-time, weekend basis. 

Similarly, for those concerned about the cost of training, payment plans are also available, and in many cases, you’ll only need a deposit to begin your tiling course. 

Do I need qualifications before starting work as a tiler? 

While you don’t legally need to hold any formal qualifications before finding work as a tiler, completing your initial training under the guidance of an experienced tutor is a great way of getting your career off to the best possible start. 

Industry qualifications, such as City & Guilds and NVQ, are also worth considering as they are a great way of helping you stand out to potential employers and customers, reinforcing that your skills meet the latest industry standards. 

How will I find work? 

Use the time you spend training to begin building a network of useful contacts — you never know who you’ll meet during this period and if that could lead to work at some point down the line. 

While it may sound simple, regularly updating your CV, portfolio and social media accounts can make a big difference when job hunting. Being proactive can also help, even if a company isn’t advertising roles, reach out and contact them anyway, they just might not have gotten around to recruiting.

If you’re going down the self-employed route, then investing in a good website is always beneficial when it comes to finding work. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy, but it should be quick and easy for people to find and contact you.

Discovery sites like Checkatrade and Rated People can be equally as valuable when it comes to finding work, so be sure to keep your profile relevant and up-to-date. 

More traditional methods, such as a branded vehicle, flyers and notice boards are still all handy too, as is good old word-of-mouth, though remember the latter does rely on delivering consistently high-quality work. 

Take the first steps towards your new career as a tiler

If you’re looking to break into the industry as quickly as possible, then the NVQ Level 2 Tiling Course is a great way to go from complete beginner to being fully prepared to achieve your NVQ Level 2 and in a position to seek work immediately. The course can be completed on both a full-time or weekend-only basis, and payments can be split into manageable instalments. If you’d like any further information about the course, feel free to give us a call on 01322 280 202.