Often tile contractors ask me about training opportunities. I tell them about NTCA University, webinars, workshops, and regional events. While all of our education- al opportunities are great, many are geared to a specific learner. For example, NTCA University has apprenticeship courses, and the workshops have a lot of overview information good for foremen. But in my opinion, one of the best training opportunities avail- able from NTCA is the day-long regional training events because they are designed for the tile setter. It doesn’t matter if you have been on the job for a one year or 15 years. In 2019, we are conducting 20 regional training events, focus- ing on either gauged porcelain tile or substrate prep and large-for- mat tile. What makes these train- ing events so different is that the attendees start the day in a class- room, but after 90 minutes they move to the work area to actu- ally use the proper techniques that were taught in the classroom. What fascinates me the most is the amount of set-up that is needed for each of the trainings. Typically two days prior to the event, NTCA train- ers and manufacturer reps descend on to the location to start con- structing modules, getting materials ready for training day, and doing a run-through so everyone is on the same page when all of the attend- ees arrive. And all of this work is done for 20 attendees! The reason that there’s a cap to the number of participants is because the trainers spend a lot of one-on-one time with each of the attendees to ensure that proper standards and installation methods are used. The substrate prep and large-for- mat tile courses are open to NTCA members only.The gauged porcelain tile courses are open to anyone. Since both have a limited number of attendees, we require a $50 registra- tion fee for each class. However, you get this fee refunded to your credit card once you show up to the event. This is to ensure that if someone can’t make it, they cancel and allow someone else to attend instead of having a bunch of no-shows. I have had several company own- ers register some of their setters NTCA UNIVERSITY UPDATE ––––––––––––– By Becky Serbin, NTCA Education and Curriculum Director Regional training events – one of NTCA’s best member benefits 104 TileLetter | July 2019