NTCA offers UofCTS online courses for thinset standards, and basics of ceramic tile and stone sponsored by BUSINESS TIP Failed tile installations are not only disappointments and incon- veniences to owners, and very expensive problems to installers, both in terms of out-of-pocket costs as well as in reputation. They also hurt everyone in our tile and stone industry in a major way. What do you think people do who have a problem with something that they spent a lot of money on that may have resulted in additional costs, lots of inconvenience, and perhaps is a daily eyesore? They complain to others (negative adver- tising) and they probably select something else the next time. All of this costs our industry in sales and reputation, which affects all of our livelihoods regardless if we are a manufacturer, a distributor or an installer. Our industry has grown tremen- dously over the last 20 years, and the skilled labor hasn’t been able to keep up with the demand and mar- ket changes. Plus, our tile products, installation products, and construc- tion conditions and requirements have changed. Unfortunately many installers don’t learn their trade and skills at a trade school; they learn on the job taught by others, which may or may not be con- sistent with the current industry installation standards. Many tile installers don’t have the opportu- nity to easily receive continued education to learn about new stan- dards and products. Installers often don’t have an opportunity to learn all of the industry standards or to fully understand the complexity of their work without having to miss work and spend a lot of time and money. Industry standards are based on the experience and mistakes of those who have gone before us – family members, manufactur- ers, and others who then serve on industry committees to develop By Bart Bettiga NTCA executive director TileLetter publisher 28 TileLetter | September 2018