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training & education
Record-breaking number of NTCA events coming to a location near you!
CTEF releases its schedule of SC and NJ classes for 2024
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The eagerly-awaited NTCA Training Schedule is now available. You may have heard that NTCA is offering more educational opportunities than ever before in 2024, and that’s exactly right – with 206 NTCA Workshops and 86 Regional Events – which include 10 two-day Art Glass Panel Fabrication and Installation trainings – there’s no reason why you can’t invest in free trainings that will level up your installation game – and give you the opportunity to network with peers.
NTCA events incorporate a high level of hands-on engagement, as well as classroom-style instruction from our team of nine trainers to address current issues and solutions in our trade.
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Workshops Workshops will cover one of these topics:
  • Failures – Could It Be Me?
  • The Ins and Outs of Layout
  • Tile Matters – Best Practices for Pros
  • Tile Technology – Adhesives
  • Tile Technology – Membranes
These free workshops generally are three hour evening events that include a catered meal, opportunity to network, prizes and giveaways along with an informative talk and hands-on opportunities.
NTCA will offer 206 Workshops this year – the most ever offered in a year. Check www.NTCATraining.com to find one near you.
Regional Programs Day-long Regional Programs address:
  • GPTP Installation
  • Substrate Prep for GPTP
  • Substrate Prep and Large-Format Tile
 AIA and IDCEC credits will be available upon request where available. Several two-day regional programs are also scheduled throughout the year.
All Art Glass Panel Fabrication and Installation Regional programs in conjunction with SICIS are two-day events. This highly-specialized and advanced program will teach attendees about glass of many types and they will gain the knowledge, ability and confidence to understand, handle, fabricate and install very large art glass Vetrite panels to create custom installations on walls in interior wet and dry areas using a direct bond adhesive method following manufacturer instructions. Visit https://bit.ly/3CUNrPM to learn about prequalifications for this training.
The Art Glass Panel Fabrication and Installation Regional programs are highly specialized, developed to teach seasoned tile setters to understand, handle, fabricate and install large glass Vetrite panels from SICIS.
One other thing NTCA is up to this year is a partnership with Louisville Tile to present three Design/Installation Events with Jennifer Farrell. The goal is to educate both the design and the installer community, creating an informed synergy that will result in more beautiful, enduring projects.
You can view all the trainings at www.NTCATraining.com. Please confirm the class you want to attend since dates, times and venues may change.
Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) classes
CTEF is offering classes in its Pendleton, S.C. location and its new Egg Harbor City, N.J. location in 2024 – plus a few specialty classes throughout the year. Visit https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/ceramic-tile-courses for a complete description of CTEF classes through CTEF. NJ = Egg Harbor City, N.J. location; SC = Pendleton, S.C. location
March 4-9 Understanding and Installing Ceramic Tile (UICT)/Mortar Shower Base and Waterproofing (MSBW – aka “Shower Class”) – SC This is the last original class. Other UCIT and Shower classes will follow an expanded format. April 9-11 New Shower Class (Expanded MSBW) – SC May 13-17 New UICT (Expanded) – NJ
June 3-6 CTEF CTI Boot Camp, Louisville Tile Distributors, Louisville, KY June 17-21 100 Level – SC June 24-28 200 Level – SC July 8-12 100 Level – NJ July 15-19 200 Level – NJ July 15-19 Inspection class, ARDEX, Stockon, CA July 22 UICT – SC July 29-21 Shower Class – SC
Aug. 5-9 Inspection – SC Aug. 19-23 UICT – NJ Aug. 26-28 Shower Class – NJ Sept. 9-13 301 Class – SC Sept. 16-20 302 Class – SC Sept. 23-27 303 Class –SC Oct. 7-11 UICT – SC Oct. 14-16 Shower Class – SC Nov. 11-15 100 Level – SC Nov. 18-22 200 Level – SC Dec. 2-6 100 Level – NJ Dec. 16-20 200 Level – NJ
CTEF classes in 2024 will take place at Pendleton, S.C. and at the Foundation’s brand new Egg Harbor City, N.J. location.

Artisan Training/TileFest

We would be remiss to not mention the reprise of A.R.T. Artisan Revolution in Tile Training, sponsored by LATICRETE and NTCA at Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works in Milwaukee, Wis. The June 10-13, 2024 class is completely sold out, though there is a waiting list for this session and future classes.
Last year’s group of 15 emerging artisans learned new skills and techniques, worked with new equipment, and developed a coalition of enthusiasm and support that has rippled forward throughout the year. One such ripple is the participation of four inaugural classmates who will conduct a series of demos at the annual TileFest event at The TileWorks in Doylestown, Pa., May 18-19, demonstrating the art of hand-shaped mosaic amidst a festival that celebrates handmade tile in a historic setting. Plans are also in the works for this squad to take the floor at the Art Tile Village at Coverings in April to present the particulars of their learning process and various aspects of creating mosaics. See related story in this issue.
Four artisan tile setters from last year’s Artisan Revolution in Tile (A.R.T) Training are bringing their show on the road to TileFest 24 at The TileWorks of Bucks County in Doylestown, Pa., May 18-19, 2024. They will demonstrate techniques and processes used in creating their hand-shaped mosaics during the class and raise awareness about the artistry tile can bring to a project.