This month we have a strong focus on education and training. Of course, training and education are core pillars of NTCA’S mission, but this month we get to see how contractor members are taking that mission out into their communities to spread the word about instal- lation that conforms to industry standards and invites the next gen- eration of tile setters to a career in qualified labor. Our Training and Education fea- ture takes a first look at the Oregon – Columbia Tile Trades Training Trust, a cooperative of contrac- tors, supported by distributors, manufacturers and other suppliers that are developing an appren- ticeship program based on NTCA University courses. Read about this inspiring new program. In our Qualified Labor section, Nebraska State Ambassador Dan Hecox talks about a presenta- tion on how to avoid tile failures he gave to a group of 28 sec- ond-year design students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln earlier this year. Hecox focused on real-world useful information that students can use once they graduate, and got thumbs up from the class. NTCA Training and Education Coordinator Becky Serbin dis- cusses how to use the NTCA University courses in DOL- approved programs and appren- ticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in this month’s NTCA University Update. As a member you have access to a fantastic collection of courses that can be utilized in many ways, tailored to your business. Our Tech Talk feature this month is derived directly from another avenue of education offered by NTCA – the monthly Webinar series. These free online presen- tations bring you the wisdom of industry experts on a range of topics that you can access on your phone, tablet or computer, solo or with a group of col- leagues. This month, we learn about the benefits and advan- tages of self-leveling underlay- ments from TEC/H.B. Fuller’s EDITOR’S LETTER Lesley A. Goddin The only thing worse than training employees and having them leave is not training them, and having them stay. – Henry Ford, Founder, Ford Motor Company 18 TileLetter | July 2018