ganized work spaces with numerous other trades often working in the same rooms. I’m sure there are many more you can think of, but probably one of the most important is the low earning potential of many work- ers during the training process and potentially even beyond. We need to start the dialog about how we as an industry can develop an attractive career path, includ- ing training that will show entrants what they must achieve to earn their desired income. At the same time, we need to attempt to mini- mize some of the other negatives of the modern construction environ- ment. As a finish trade with highly artistic components, I believe we have an advantage over some other trades because our work is always on display. Dan Welch and Becky Serbin – along with the Education and Training Committee – are working hard to put together the complete apprenticeship program, which will include a career path and earning scale. If you haven’t checked it out yet, I invite you to do so. This is only one piece of a comprehensive plan we must develop or eventually we will all suffer the consequences. I welcome your comments and ideas about how to move forward and I ask for your involvement and participation in the solution. Keep on tiling! Martin Howard, NTCA president Committee member, ANSI A108 mhoward@davidallen.com PRESIDENT'S LETTER ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The NTCA Reference Manual was developed to identify recurring chal- lenges to successful installations of tile and stone,recognize potential problems,and to gain consensus from industry experts on offering solutions. New updates to the following topics: • Spot Bonding • Proper preparation and ANSI require- ments • Curing compounds and release agents • Interior installation of tile over exterior glued plywood • Preparation for thickset installations • Movement joints • Questionable/unsuitable substrates • Backerboards • Concrete substrate issues • Underlayments,trowelable and poured • Loss of underlayment bond to substrate • Cracking underlayment • Soft or powdery underlayment • Poured gypsum underlayments • Steam rooms • Glass tile description • Glass tile installations • Shower issues with tub/shower combo and prefab shower pans • Position statement on thin porcelain tile • Radiant heat issues for tile and stone installations • Recommendation for exterior tile maintenance • Care and maintenance www.tile-assn.com 22 TileLetter | July 2017