Tilers cover walls or floors with tiles to provide smooth hygienic surfaces.
Training and qualifications required
Tilers who work in the NHS have experience and may have a qualification such as an NVQ in tiling. There are no set entry requirements to train as a tiler. Employers expect good numeracy and literacy and may ask for GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and maths. Employers may ask for experience in construction. An apprenticeship in estates maintenance can provide you with this. Employers may ask for a driving licence. When you start as a trainee tiler, your training will include health and safety, how to use the tools and equipment and all aspects of tiling. You will be expected to study for qualifications such as NVQs and may be encouraged to become multi-skilled by training in, for example, painting and decorating or plumbing.
Expected working hours and salary range
Estates staff working in the NHS are paid on the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay system. As an estates support worker, you would typically start on AfC band 2. As a qualified tiler you might start on AfC band 3. With further training and experience, you could apply for more senior positions at bands 4 and above. Tilers in the NHS are likely to work standard hours of around 37.5 a week. Some may work shifts including early starts, evenings and weekends. Terms and conditions will usually be different for tilers working outside of the NHS.
Desirable skills and values
Tilers need to be interested in design and colour, methodical, good at measuring, able to work quickly and accurately, physically fit for lifting, standing, bending, etc, health and safety aware and able to work alone or in a team. They also need practical skills, good manual (hand) skills, organisational skills and customer service skills.
Prospects
With experience, you could become a team leader, supervising the work of others. With further experience, you could become a manager, responsible for the maintenance and repairs service for a hospital, area or trust. There may be opportunities to move into other estates services roles. Some tilers become self-employed by setting up a business, either on their own or with one or more colleagues.
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