Tilesetters

Description

On a hot summer night, you decide to help your parents cut and lay tiles for the new kitchen floor--instead of heading to the beach bonfire. What's up with that? Well, maybe, just maybe, you're headed for a career in tilesetting.

Tilesetters lay and set ceramic, marble, and quarry tile to cover walls, ceilings, and floors. They also create mosaics for protective and decorative finishes.

This trade requires a lot more than just the physical ability to lay tiles. Are you good at doing calculations? You'll need to be able to calculate weights, angles, and dimensions of walls and ceilings. You also have to figure out how much material you'll need as well as the length of time needed to complete the work.

Since a lot of tilesetters work independently, you may be directly responsible for preparing estimates and invoices, and doing your own accounting. And if you've got good interpersonal skills, you'll be able to put them to good use when you deal with clients and contractors.

Specific duties

The basic duties of tilesetters are to

• examine blueprints or project guidelines to plan the job, measure and mark the work area and assemble the necessary materials. You may have to cut tiles to fit around fixtures, corners or openings.
  
• remove old tiles, grout (a thin cement used to fill cracks between tiles) and adhesives, using chisels and scrapers
  
• spread plaster, cement or mortar on the area where the tiles will be placed
  
• apply adhesives (such as glue) to the tiles and set them in position, and apply grout and wipe the tiles clean once they have set, and
  
• lay and set mosaic tiles to create decorative wall, mural and floor designs.
  

Related careers

You might be also be interested in these careers that have similar educational and/or training requirements, or that share similar duties.

• Bricklayers
• Construction Trades Supervisors

High school path

A CareerMATTERS consultant suggests these high school courses would be helpful. They are not pre-requisites to post secondary programs, nor are they necessary to obtain employment. You should consult with your school counsellor to make the best choices for your own career path.

Recommended Courses
Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
English
ENG1D English, Grade 9, Academic or ENG1P English, Grade 9, Applied	ENG2D English, Grade 10, Academic or ENG2P English, Grade 10, Applied	ENG3E English, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	ENG4E English, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation
Math
MFM1P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 9, Applied or MPM1D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 9, Academic	MFM2P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 10, Applied or MPM2D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10, Academic	MEL3E Mathematics for Work and Everyday Life, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	MEL4E Mathematics for Work and Everyday Life, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation

* a job shadowing/co-op experience is recommended

Post-secondary options

• Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates, but you must have at least a Grade 9 education.
  
  
• An apprenticeship is available as a Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Setter.
  
  
• Trade certification is voluntary in Ontario but you can't lose if you go ahead and get certified.
  

There may be several different paths to a career. Post-secondary education or training programs will help, but they are not a guarantee. You should research your options carefully before deciding on any program of study. Click here for a comparison chart of institutions or accreditations.

The following programs offered at Ontario post-secondary institutions may be helpful in pursuing a career in this field. In addition to the institutions listed here, please refer to "For more information" (at left) for a list of organizations and associations that may also offer programs of study.

Career path

Wondering how you could prepare for a career in this field? Or what else you might do once you have some experience?

Tilesetters are employed by special trade, building, and general contractors. Some tilesetters choose to be self-employed.

Many stay in the trade until they retire. Others advance to supervisory positions such as a foreperson or supervisor. With additional training, tilesetters can transfer their skills to other occupations, such as bricklayer, plasterer, or concrete finisher.

Employers

These are examples of the places, businesses and industries that employ people in this field:

construction companies
masonry contractors
self-employment

Work environment

Tilesetters work both indoors and outdoors. Usually they work a five-day, 40-hour week. Overtime may be necessary to meet construction deadlines.

The job involves a lot of bending, kneeling, and reaching--and sometimes heavy lifting. There is some risk of injury from sharp edges and power tools, or from working with dangerous chemicals.

Common job titles

Also Known As....

Apprentice tilesetter
Ceramic tile installer
Marble setter
Terrazzo polisher
Terrazzo worker
Tile installer
Tilesetter

For more information

Links to associations, organizations, unions and other places that may be able to provide more information.

• Apprenticeship: Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
  Information about apprenticeship opportunities in Ontario including training info, contacts, etc.

• Careers in Construction
  This site has some great information about careers in construction, and includes videos, profiles, the four sectors--New Home Building and Renovation, Heavy Industrial, Institutional and Commercial, and Civil Engineering--career paths, and lots more. Canada-wide.

• Interprovincial Standards
  The "Red Seal" allows qualified trades persons to practise in any province or territory in Canada. Includes a list of all Red Seal trades.

• MadeWithTheTrades.com
  Careers in Construction. Includes profiles of apprentices and journeypersons, and information about the construction industry.