Tilesetter

Who am I?
Do you enjoy working with your hands? Do you have a good eye and high standards? Could you cut and lay tiles with an artistic flair? Then, you could become a Tilesetter!

What do I do?
If you choose Tilesetter, you will be using ceramic, marble, and quarry tile to cover interior and exterior walls, ceilings and floors. You will also use these materials to make decorative mosaics. You may cut or shape the tile yourself or use prefabricated tile sections for quick installation. You will reinforce the surface or build an underbase, and prepare, measure and mark the surface to be covered. You will determine the best layout to achieve the desired pattern in a given space and cut and trim tiles to cover odd spaces and fit tile around obstacles and openings. You will mix, apply and spread adhesives such as mortar, cement, mastic or epoxy over the surface. You will also set tiles or groups of tiles into position, align the tiles and tap them into place, and pack grout (a fine mortar) into joints and remove excess material.

How much do I make?
As an apprentice Tilesetter, you earn at least 60% of the journeyman wage rate in your place of work in the first year of apprenticeship, 70% in the second, and 80% in the third year. The journeyman rate of pay is $17 to $22 an hour plus benefits. In addition to the basic hourly rate employers provide statutory holiday and vacation pay. Employers may also provide other benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care, retirement packages, and training benefits. In total, benefits come be worth 20% to 30% over and above the basic hourly pay rate.

You would generally work a five-day, 40-hour workweek. You may have to put in overtime to meet construction deadlines.

How do I advance?
With experience, you may advance to supervisory positions such as foreman and superintendent. With additional training, you could transfer your skills to other construction-related occupations. You could also become self-employed and contract your services for smaller renovation projects.

Like most careers in the construction industry, your skills in this occupation are portable. If you want to relocate, you can take your skills with you.

How do I learn?
Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act specifies that to work as a Tilesetter in Alberta, you must be a registered apprentice of the trade, a certified journeyman of the trade, work for an employer who is satisfied that you have the skills and knowledge expected of a certified journeyman of the trade, or be self employed.

To enter the Tilesetter apprenticeship program, you must have at least an Alberta Grade 9 education or equivalent or you pass an entrance exam. You must also find an appropriate employer who is willing to hire and train an apprentice. Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.

To register in the apprenticeship program, you and your employer must complete the Apprenticeship Application and Contract form and submit it to the nearest Apprenticeship and Industry Training office.

How long will it take?
Your apprenticeship lasts three years (three 12-month periods). This includes at least 1600 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of technical training in the first two years. You take 1600 hours of on-the-job training in the third year.

If you have successfully completed related courses of study, a pre-employment program or work experience, you may be eligible for advanced standing in the apprenticeship program.

Where do I learn?
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training arranges for the availability of technical training. Once you become an apprentice, you are responsible for registering yourself for technical training. You must contact the training facility directly. For more information, visit www.tradesecrets.org.

When you attend training, you must pay the applicable tuition fee and buy supplies. Most apprentices are eligible for employment insurance (EI) while attending classroom training. For more information, contact your local Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) office.

You may also be eligible for a grant, scholarship or other financial assistance. For more information, visit www.tradesecrets.org.

Certification
As soon as you successfully complete the on-the-job training, technical training and examinations required by the apprenticeship training program, you are awarded an Alberta Journeyman Certificate.

Jump-start your career in construction
While you’re still in high school, check out your school’s Career and Technology Studies (CTS) courses. These hands-on courses can help you build the basic skills you need for work in the construction industry.

You could also begin an apprenticeship program and earn high school credits at the same time through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). After high school graduation, many RAP apprentices complete apprenticeship programs while working full-time.

See your school counselor for more information on CTS courses and RAP.

Where can I find out more?
For more information on career planning, apprenticeship and occupational training, or educational programs, contact the Career Information Hotline. Ask for the nearest Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training office or Alberta Human Resources and Employment service center. Phone: 1-800-661-3753 toll-free in Alberta or (780) 422-4266 in Edmonton. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing: 1-800-232-7215 for message relay service or (780) 422-5283 for TDD service.

For more information on careers in construction, visit our web site at www.careersconstruction.com.

You can also visit Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training’s web site at www.tradesecrets.org.