training & education
CTEF Update:
changes and opportunities
By Brad Denny, Executive Director
Ceramic Tile Education Foundation
Share
The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit solely focused on training, education, and certification in the ceramic tile industry, and we take pride in developing the very best for all three aspects.
Our 2025 Sponsorship campaign is underway, and we invite those committed to improving professionalism in the ceramic tile industry to partner with us. It’s not too late to support CTEF’s growth and success. We’re also excited to announce the return of the CTEF Auction in early December, giving contractors the chance to stock up on tools and materials for a successful 2025.
As you reflect on what to be thankful for this month, consider the future. Whether you’re a sole proprietor or a large corporation, balancing today’s needs with tomorrow’s planning is essential. At CTEF we strive to be a part of your today to make a better tomorrow.
Even taking the CTI exam is an education in itself and an accomplishment — even more so for those who pass. This group took the CTI test at THASIE earlier this year. On March 8, 2025, Deby Winter at Carpet & Tile Warehouse in Vero Beach, Fla. will hold an all-woman CTI test, which will coincide with International Women’s Day.
2024 activities
When the Certified Tile Installer (CTI) program launched in 2008, contractors, manufacturers, and consultants agreed the tile industry needed a way to legitimize installer capabilities. Other trades have programs that define skill levels, and the ceramic tile industry needed the same to provide:
- A waypoint along a career path
- An indication of abilities for employers
- Reliable references for builders, specifiers, dealers, retailers, and suppliers
- Third party assessment for consumer confidence.
Scott Carothers introduces a group of high school students touring Coverings this year to tile tools and techniques during their stop at the CTEF booth.
In 2024, CTEF updated the CTI test to better reflect the current market, while maintaining its focus on industry methods and standards. Metal profiles are being used in place of shaped bullnose and regularly 3"x6" wall tile is utilized. Whatever the changes today, in the future the test will remain a challenge, and installers will continue to attest to the CTI exam’s perplexing layout, emphasis on attention to minute details, and complex time management attributes which all make it a difficult puzzle to solve. With an estimate of over 40,000 United States citizens installing ceramic tile per the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics and only nearing 2,000 CTIs, we’ve but scratched the surface to give legitimacy to the trade and have many more installers to reach. Tile professionals should support certification to ensure its future relevance.
Micro events were part of our 2024 schedule, conducting tests at THASIE and MUD7. Our goal to reach the masses hinges on hosts and local installer support, so whether at an event or a test held at one of the generous host locations, do not miss the opportunity to take your certification test in 2025. Plan to add value to yourself, your business, and your industry for the betterment of all.
CTI exams are held around the country, at trade shows like Coverings or at host sites like this one at Avalon Flooring in Cherry Hill, N.J.
While programming was limited as we settled into our new Egg Harbor City, N.J., facility, we connected with the local community of installers. Many dedicated CTIs contributed their time and efforts to make CTEF NJ a hub for training and education. Our 200 Level Practical course, focusing on preparation for the CTI test and Tile Setter skills, reached a group who took the test with a majority passing. The Understanding and Installing Ceramic Tile class, annually very popular in South Carolina, equipped a group in need of a thorough walk through the industry with practical hand-on training.
Early in 2024, our 100 Level Foundations course laid a firm footing for a group looking to enter the ceramic tile trade, and many were on scholarship through the Floor Covering Education Foundation. This class is designed for anyone who doesn’t want to be lost on day one in their career, and is the perfect way to invest in a new promising employee. Instilling the best practices without being undermined by poor information is a recipe for future success. Many small businesses suffer from a lack of in-house training programs, so the ability of CTEF’s foundational courses to give new hires the attention they need to prepare them to be the most valuable they can be to their business and themselves is critical, so take advantage of these courses.
CTEF continually develops new plans, and 2024 has been a year of reflecting on industry needs, guided by our relationships with leaders and influencers. The strong interest in the CTEF Inspection course this year has highlighted the need for its growth and expansion, which our staff is eager to pursue. Stay tuned for exciting updates to enhance this program!
CTEF Academic Director Scott Carothers presides at the Evaluator Boot Camp, held at Louisville Tile in Louisville, Ky.
Coming next year
A groundbreaking CTI test will be held on International Women’s Day, March 8th, 2025, at Carpet & Tile Warehouse in Vero Beach, Florida. Hosted by Deby Winter, her vision to reach and identify women tile installers offers a unique opportunity for an exclusive women-only test. CTEF is excited to provide testing services and partner with organizers to grow the number of women CTIs.
We’ve recognized that our valuable programs haven’t been as accessible as they could be. We are actively exploring strategies to expand CTEF’s reach into different regions. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to attend a CTEF program, it may soon become logistically easier – keep an eye out for compelling news!
(L to r) Brad Denny, Kristopher Duschen, and Scott Carothers at the Understanding and Installing Ceramic Tile Class.
Whether times are tough – or business is booming – failing to invest in yourself, your team, or your business can limit future success. Explore what CTEF has to offer and find a program that adds value for a brighter tomorrow. If you notice something missing from CTEF’s programming, please reach out to Brad Denny at brad.denny@tilecareer.com.