16 2017 | TECH The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) takes its leadership role seriously, taking on such initiatives as advocating best practices for its members, safety and how to become more profitable. A huge component of the association’s focus is educa- tion, and coming this fall, NTCA members will once again be the beneficiaries as the association is currently devel- oping a first-time regional education program that will launch its premiere event in October. The program will feature NTCA’s Mark Heinlein, train- ing director Robb Roderick, trainer, and Becky Serbin, training and education coordinator, conducting a regional training program at the BAC training center in New Berlin, Wis., on Oct. 5. It is a great opportunity to have the tile industry working together to train installers, noted Serbin. “We are planning two-day-long learning tracks to run concurrently: Portland cement mortar beds and gauged porcelain tile.” Since both tracks rely on industry standards and deal with substrate preparation, she explained, the day starts off with a presentation on standards and substrate prep for everyone before the groups break off into separate training sessions. For those taking the mortar bed track, they should expect: • An introduction to the benefits of using a thick bed sys- tem as the substrate for a tile installation • Learning about ANSI standards related to mix ratios, site mixes vs. bag mixes • Hands-on mixing, finding perimeter height, setting screeds, installing perimeter joints, packing mud, mak- ing a proper pitch • Demos on installing mortar on a vertical surface And, those participating in the gauged porcelain tile track should expect to: • Learn about the new ANSI standards for gauged porce- lain tile and the installation of the material • Discuss equipment, tools, materials that are needed to properly install the product • Understand the need for proper substrate prepara- tion and what can be done to prepare the surface for NTCA gearing up to debut new regional education program By Louis Iannaco REGIONAL TRAINING NTCA’s Robb Roderick will be one of the presenters at the Regional Educational program in Wisconsin. NTCA’s training and education coordinator, Becky Serbin, gives a talk to con- tractors during Coverings 2017. Training director, Mark Heinlein, at a NTCA workshop in Lyndhurst, NJ.