Continuing-education success
A new course expands TTMAC’s online offerings
The Terrazzo Tile and Marble Association of Canada (TTMAC) and the University of Ceramic Tile and Stone (UofCTS) announce they has developed a Canadian version of a popular online course, Tile Installer Thin-set Standards (ITS) Verification course, which is now available at our website: www.ttmac.com.
This is the third online Canadian course created for TTMAC. The other two TTMAC online courses were released over the last three years, and with great success. Both the TTMAC Understanding the Basics of Natural Stone course and the TTMAC Understanding the Basics of Ceramic Tile course have had several hundred tile and stone distributors, manufacturers and installers participate and complete.
Teaching the industry
The ITS Verification course instructs installers, setters and helpers on industry standards and practices, manufacturers’ requirements, and proper installation methods for tile thin-set applications that apply to ceramic tile, porcelain tile, stone tile, glass tile and other types of adhered tile materials. The course also teaches how to inspect and prepare substrates and tiles, how to achieve full thin-set coverage, and points out quality workmanship requirements and practices. This course is also meaningful to architects, general contractors, distributors, manufacturers, consultants, inspectors, and owners that want to be aware of the industry installation standards, practices, and methods.
Tile installers who complete the ITS Verification course receive a certificate of completion and must renew it annually to remain current with industry standards. The ITS certificate is a huge benefit to tile installation companies. It demonstrates to architects, homeowners, and other customers that their tile installers have been trained to install tile according to industry standards. It also demonstrates the company’s commitment to quality installations, and ultimately helps companies earn more jobs, earn more money and avoid costly delays and failures.
TTMAC’s board of directors is thrilled with the success of the TTMAC online training programs. The board has reported that the success of the Ceramic Tile and the Natural Stone courses has proven that providing training courses on the internet is the most cost-effective and convenient way to reach the membership and educate the Canadian tile and stone industry.
Real-life case study
Curt Higham, training director at Ames Tile & Stone Ltd., stated that Ames sent more than 150 of their employees through both the TTMAC Stone course and the TTMAC Ceramic Tile course. Highman indicated that the results have been phenomenal. Customers have noticed the difference in how much more knowledgeable and competent the employees are compared to other distributors. The training has served as motivation to the employees and has increased their confidence, as well as has enhanced the company’s quality-minded culture.
TTMAC collaborated with the UofCTS to convert the U.S. version of the ITS Verification course into a version that would be relevant to the Canadian industry. It references the Canadian TTMAC manuals, specifications and industry standards, as well as relevant U.S. industry standards. The primary measuring units are metric, but it also includes U.S. measuring units for reference.
The TTMAC online Ceramic Tile course and the TTMAC online Natural Stone course have been accredited for Continued Education Credits by three major Canadian architectural and interior design organizations. Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC), Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), and Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC) have all assigned seven and eight continuing-education units to each respective course.
To see a video preview of the ITS Verification online training course, and others, visit the www.UofCTS.org website and click on the online training courses page.
Once registered, TTMAC students have 21 days to complete the course, which is accessible online, 24/7. Students can print a certificate and download a student reference guide when they have completed and passed the course. Visit the TTMAC website for details on purchasing the TTMAC online courses at www.ttmac.com.
The Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Association of Canada was founded in 1944 to promote standardized installation techniques and to provide technical resources.