Installer Certification: 1K-Grad Goal
JACKSON, Miss. – More than 1,000 North American tile installers will be certified by the end of December if an industry-wide effort reaches its 2011 goals.
The end-of-the-year target would double the current roster of installers credentialed through the Certified Tile Installer (CTI) Program offered by the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), in alliance with the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) and the Tile Council of North America (TCNA).
The Certified Tile Installer program is a comprehensive testing of the skills and knowledge of experienced tile installers which includes a multiple-choice exam and hands-on test. Both are based on current industry standards and best practices for producing sound installations that exhibit good workmanship.
Installers who pass the written and hands-on exams receive a certificate, an identification card and most importantly, marketing materials developed by CTEF. Since its inception in 2008, the program has certified over 500 tile installers.
To help reach the 1,000-installer goal, the NTCA is updating its Five Star Contractor criteria to require contracting companies to employ certified installers to achieve Five Star status. Other efforts include the hiring of one person to promote certification events encouraging distributors to host such events around the country.
In addition, every certified installer will be included in a special section of the 2011 TCNA Handbook for Ceramic Tile, Stone & Glass Tile Installation.
“In less than three years, the CTEF has validated five hundred members through the CTI program,” says Scott M. Carothers, CTEF executive director. “The ultimate goal of the CTI program is to provide the end-user with a choice of an installer who has the skill and knowledge to install tile correctly the first time with high quality at a fair price.”
Bart Bettiga, NTCA executive director, acknowledges the support for the program from the CTEF’s Signature Sponsors, including the Joint Venture Partner owners of Coverings: the NTCA, the TCNA, Ceramic Tiles of Italy, Tile Of Spain, and the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association.
“Their financial support to initiate and continue this program is the reason we have reached the goals we have set and are now escalating the process, Bettiga says.
Original publication ©2011 Western Business Media Inc. Use licensed to the author, Emerson Schwartzkopf.
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