Wall and floor tiler

The Job  

Wall and floor tiling may sound straightforward, but it can be a complex job, using coloured and textured tiles to decorate the inside of a building.

The role is very varied. One week you might be working in a bathroom in somebody’s home, and the next travelling abroad to fix huge heavy-duty tiles to a factory interior.

The People  

With the job being so varied, tilers need to be flexible, adaptable, and happy to travel. You'll also need a good head for figures, to ensure you calculate the right amount of tiles for the work area.

Entry Requirements  

There are no specific entry requirements, as most employers expect to take on trainees, although GCSE passes/Standard Grades in Maths, English and Technology will be helpful for the calculations, measurements and theory.

Apprenticeships are the usual route in and enable you to earn while you learn. Entry to an apprenticeship scheme will usually involve a selection test. Most of the training will take place in the workplace and during this training you can expect to be working towards NVQ/SVQ Levels 2 and 3.

The Benefits  

The Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC) agrees wage rates annually. Pay rates for apprentices in Scotland are set by SBATC. A good basic wage is available and can be boosted with the incentive schemes that many companies offer.

Many tilers move on to technical, supervisory and managerial roles, and some even go on to own their own business.