Start Your Tiling Apprenticeship

What you will do Wall and floor tilers may do some or all of the following: discuss tiling designs and options with clients, and give quotes measure and mark surfaces based on plans clean and prepare surfaces lay liquid waterproof membrane in showers and bathrooms make and lay adhesives for tiles to be laid on cut, shape and lay tiles grout, seal and polish tiles. Skills and knowledge Wall and floor tilers need to have: knowledge of tiling methods and materials the ability to interpret plans and clients’ ideas ability to calculate tile layout and cut tiles with as little waste as possible knowledge of how to use tiling and cutting tools knowledge of health and safety regulations. Self-employed wall and floor tilers also need business skills such as accounting and regulatory compliance. Working conditions Wall and floor tilers: usually work regular business hours, but may also work weekends and evenings work in buildings that are under construction, being altered or renovated may work at heights. Pay Pay for wall and floor tilers varies depending on location, qualifications and experience. Apprentice wall and floor tilers usually start on the training minimum wage, with their pay increasing as they gain experience and unit standards. Wall and floor tilers with up to three years’ experience usually earn between minimum wage and $25 an hour. Wall and floor tilers with over three years’ experience usually earn between $25 and $35 an hour. Those running their own business may earn more than this. Source: Tile Association of New Zealand, 2018. PAYE.net.nz website – use this calculator to convert pay and salary information Employment New Zealand website – information about minimum wage rates (This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our pay information)

Entry requirements There are no specific entry requirements to become a wall and floor tiler. However, you can do an apprenticeship and gain a New Zealand Certificate in Trowel Trades Floor and Wall Tiling (Level 4). The Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) oversees apprenticeships. BCITO website – information on tiler training Secondary education There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a wall and floor tiler. However, construction and mechanical technologies, and maths are useful. Year 11 and 12 learners can find out more about the construction industry and gain relevant skills, by doing a National Certificate in Building, Construction and Allied Trades (Levels 1 and 2) through the BConstructive programme. For Year 11 to 13 learners, trades academies and the STAR and Gateway programmes are good ways to gain relevant experience and skills. These programmes may help you gain an apprenticeship, but do not reduce the time it takes to complete it. BConstructive website – information on the BConstructive programme Personal requirements Wall and floor tilers need to be: careful, organised, methodical and accurate able to follow instructions able to work independently and as part of a team good at basic maths. Useful experience Useful experience for wall and floor tilers includes any building and construction work. Physical requirements Wall and floor tilers need to: have steady hands and good hand-eye coordination. be comfortable crouching and kneeling for long periods of time.

Career opportunities Tiler, supervisor, project manager, business owner, retail sales, retail manager, tile design and manufacturing Shortage of wall and floor tilers Wall and floor tiler appears on Immigration New Zealand’s construction and infrastructure skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled wall and floor tilers from overseas to work in New Zealand. According to the Census, 1806 wall and floor tilers worked in New Zealand in 2018. Self-employment common among wall and floor tilers Most wall and floor tilers are self-employed, or run their own small business, usually employing up to five other tilers. What are the chances of getting a job? Strong demand for wall and floor tilers Chances of getting work as a wall and floor tiler are good due to: growth in construction activity, which is expected to continue until at least 2023 building consents forecast to increase until 2024 a decrease in the number of tilers and apprentices completing Level 4 certificates. However, like many building jobs, this role can be affected by economic conditions. A downturn in the economy can lower demand for wall and floor tilers. Sources Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation, ‘Tiling’, accessed October 2019, (www.bcito.org.nz). Immigration New Zealand, ‘Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List’, 27 May 2019, (www.immigration.govt.nz). Manson, B, manager, Tiling Association of New Zealand, careers.govt.nz interview, August 2018. Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, ‘National Construction Pipeline Report 2019’, accessed October 2019, (www.mbie.govt.nz). Stats NZ, ‘2018 Census Data’, 2019. Westpac, ‘A Strong Start to the Year For Construction Sector’, 7 June 2019, (www.westpac.co.nz). (This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our job opportunities information) Progression and specialisations Wall and floor tilers may progress to set up their own wall and floor tiling business.