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Tile Setter Apprenticeship
Did you know?*
- About 42 percent of carpet, floor, and tile installers and finishers are self-employed.
- Most workers learn on the job.
- Projected job growth varies by specialty; for example, tile and marble setters will have faster than average job growth, while little change is expected in the employment of carpet installers.
- Employment is less sensitive to fluctuations in construction activity than other construction trades workers.
*Statistics retrieved from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What Does a Tile Setter Do?
Tile setters examine blueprints, measure and mark surfaces to be covered, and lay out work. They measure and cut metal lath to size for walls and ceilings with tin snips. They tack lath to wall and ceiling surfaces with staple gun or hammer and spread plaster base over lath with trowel. They level plaster to specified thickness using screed and spread concrete on subfloor with trowel and level it with screed. They cut and shape tile with tile cutters and biters and position tile and tap it with a trowel handle to affix tile to plaster or adhesive base. They move tiles, tile setting tools and work devices from storage area to installation site manually or using wheelbarrow. They mix mortar and grout according to standard formulas and request from tile setter using bucket, water hose, spatula and portable mixer. They apply grout between joints of installed tile using grouting trowel. Tile setters remove excess grout from tile joints with wet sponge and scrapes corners and crevices with trowel and wipe the surface of tile after grout has set to remove grout residue and polishes tile using nonabrasive materials. They clean installation site, mixing and storage areas and installation machines, tools and equipment using water and various cleaning tools. They store tile setting materials, machines, tools and equipment. They may apply caulk, sealers, acid, steam or related agents to caulk, seal or clean installed tile using various application devices and equipment. They may modify mixing, grouting, grinding and cleaning procedures according to type of installation or material used. They may also position and secure wire mesh or felt paper prior to installation of tile and may cut marked tiles to size using power saw or tile cutter.
Tasks:
- Setting or bedding of tiles, stone, marble, composition, glass, mosaic, as used in the tile industry, including: glazed, unglazed, composition materials made in single units, mixtures in tile form of cement made for finished floor surfaces, stair treads, promenade roofs, walls and ceilings and quarry tile.
- Repair and set concrete or masonry foundations in preparation for tile work.
- Align and straighten tile using levels, squares and straightedges.
- Determine and implement the best layout to achieve a desired pattern.
- Cut and shape tile to fit around obstacles and into odd spaces and corners, using hand and power cutting tools.
- Finish and dress the joints and wipe excess grout from between tiles.
- Apply mortar to tile back, position the tile and press or tap to affix tile to base.
- Mix, apply, and spread plaster, concrete, mortar, cement, mastic, glue or other adhesives to form a bed for the tiles, using brush, trowel and screed.
- Prepare cost and labor estimates based on calculations of time and materials needed for project.
- Measure and mark surfaces to be tiled, following blueprints.
- Repair, level, and set level concrete or masonry foundation in preparation for tile work.
- Build underbeds and install anchor bolts, wires and brackets.
What Are the Working Conditions?
The outdoor work requires prolonged standing, kneeling, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, squatting, bending and lifting heavy materials weighing up to 100 lbs. Tile setters must be able to work at heights and have the ability to carry material up or down stairs or ladders. The physical ability is a very serious consideration since this is a daily requirement until retirement. They must be able to tolerate loud noise, exposure to weather and high exposed areas, and tolerate repetitive reaching and handling motion.
How is the Training Structured?
- 3 year training program
- 4,680 hours on-the-job training
- 400 hours paid related instruction
- Apprentice must complete Red Cross First Aid and OSHA Safety Training Courses
- Apprentice in his/her last year must complete the Transition-To-Trainer Course
What are the Application Requirements?
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Valid driver's license or reliable transportation
- Physically able to perform trade
What Skills Should I Possess?
- Building and Construction- Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures.
- Mathematics- Knowledge of mathematics, including measuring, counting, basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, calculate ratios, percentages, and dimensions with and without the aid of a calculator, algebra, geometry, and their applications.
- Customer and Personal Service- Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Active Listening- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Equipment Selection- Determining appropriate tools and equipment needed to do a job.
- Judgment and Decision Making- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Strength- The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
- Wrist Speed- The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the hands and wrists.
- Extent Flexibility- The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
- Stamina- The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
- Arm-Hand Steadiness- The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
- Performing General Physical Activities- Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Who Should I Contact In My Area?
Northeast
| Committee Name | Contact This Committee: | OR Contact Your BAS Representative: |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast WI Area Masonry JAC |
P.O. Box 19042 Green Bay, WI 54307-9042 Phone: (920) 437-9311 Fax: (920) 437-6091 |
Burt Harding |
| WI River Valley Area Masonry JAC |
1000 Campus Dr Wausau, WI 54401 Phone: (715) 675-3331 |
Ben Stahlecker |
Northwest
| Committee Name | Contact This Committee: | OR Contact Your BAS Representative: |
|---|---|---|
| WI River Valley Area Masonry JAC |
1000 Campus Dr Wausau, WI 54401 Phone: (715) 675-3331 |
Ben Stahlecker |
Southeast
| Committee Name | Contact This Committee: | OR Contact Your BAS Representative: |
|---|---|---|
| Madison Area Bricklaying JAC |
1602 S Park St Madison, WI 53715 Phone: (608) 259-1151 Fax: (608) 259-1154 |
Mary Pierce |
| Milwaukee Area Tile Setters JAC |
P.O. Box 510584 New Berlin, WI 53151-0617 Phone: (262) 827-4080 |
Kay Haishuk |
| Tri-County Area Trowel Trades JAC |
3030 39th Av Kenosha, WI 53144 Phone: (262) 654-1680 |
Kay Haishuk |
Southwest
| Committee Name | Contact This Committee: | OR Contact Your BAS Representative: |
|---|---|---|
| Madison Area Bricklaying JAC |
1602 S Park St Madison, WI 53715 Phone: (608) 259-1151 Fax: (608) 259-1154 |
Mary Pierce |
Additional Resources
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics maintains information on all occupations. For more information on the Tile Setter trade in the United States, visit:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos203.htm
Sources: Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards Position Descriptions,
Apprenticeship in Wisconsin Handbook