My autumn feels a bit off bal- ance. Why? I missed being with you all in Grapevine, Texas last month at the Total Solutions Plus conference. Family medical mat- ters needed my attention, but I kept track online and on social media, and even called in to a planning meeting one day. I look forward to seeing you all at one of the trade shows and confer- ence in 2019! Those of you who did attend Total Solutions Plus undoubt- edly engaged in a lot of dis- cussion about qualified labor and the lack thereof, as well as training, apprenticeship and ways to recruit new tile setters into the fold. NTCA has always been synonymous with train- ing, from the early days of the “road shows” – but association leadership is taking it to a new level with NTCA University’s Apprenticeship programs. Not only that, NTCA is working with the Department of Labor to offer curriculum for acceptance as a nationally-recognized Tile Finisher Apprenticeship Program and Tile Setter Apprenticeship Program that will combine online education, classroom lessons, and on-the-job learning. NTCA is developing resources for its members to announce and pro- mote these training opportunities in high schools, technical and trade schools and career aware- ness programs. In fact, take a look at Becky Serbin’s NTCA University Update this month, which goes into more detail about this process. In this issue, we also take a peek at Five-Star Contractor Visalia Ceramic Tile and their rec- ognition for offering an appren- ticeship program using the NTCA resources. This program added the skills and knowledge basis in the construction trades in Tulare County and the city of Visalia. NTCA’s Director of Technical Services Stephanie Samulski had a presence at the triennial BAC/ IMI national trowel trades compe- EDITOR’S LETTER Lesley A. Goddin “Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson 14 TileLetter | November 2018