http://www.professional-itt.com

For the best in a wall & Floor tiling career change.

See also our advanced courses

Call us from 8-00 am to 9-00 pm 7 days on 01782 566 166

Find Professional Independent Training Techniques (PITT) on the Tile Association web site, other centres are not there so make the right choice with PITT.

http://www.tiles.org.uk

Visit the forums to see these are real people\’s comments below.
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As many people read these forums with a view to doing a training course, I wanted to let them know what they can expect in the way of help from the after course technical helpline

I have recently completed a 10 PITT course (going back for the 5 day plumbing next week), and have just started my first tiling job. Whilst it was fairly straight forward (100mm sq tiles, wavy edge , over a couple of worktops), I was still a little unsure about a few ’simple’points i.e what to do with the walls after removing tiles, whether to use trim etc.
I rung PITT for a bit of ‘hand holding’ & was straight away put through by Angie to Kev. He was very helpful and answered my questions without making me feel stupid in anyway for asking what may seem basic questions. I have spoken to him three times over the last couple of days, and have been very grateful for the advice & have been very impressed with Kev’s professional approach. I have also spoken to Steve about a plumbing problem recently, and he too was very helpful & understanding. Thanks Steve managed to soleve the overflow problem after speaking to you .

So I would like to reassure any one thinking of doing a PITT course, and wondering if they will get any back-up when they leave, that they can feel confident that the professionalism & help doesn’t end when you leave the course. They really are there to help you succeed.
Aug 24 2006, 12:08 AM
keano1

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Well i got PITT trained in 2004 on the 5 day tiling course. I\’m sure that you would learn much more in the 10 day but my budget at that time couldnt stretch that far. I tried loads of careers before then, mostly office based and hated all of them. Since doing the course i\’ve never looked back, and i still phone them up just to double check things i\’m unsure of, no matter how simple or stupid they were, i am always warmly welcomed no matter wot time it was!!!

I have to say how much i am in thanks to the guys at PITT for changing my life for the better. Being self employed is amazing and a breath of fresh air. Knowing that i\’m doing the jobs the right way first time round and knowing that i will not be getting callbacks is very satisfying. I have to say that without their after support i would have struggled. Amazing value for money considering what you come away with. Go for it mate. There\’s a lot to learn and we\’re all still learning, but with the forum and their help over the phone your\’e never far away from friendly advice.

All the best

Rich Feb 11 2006, 11:28 AM
gt4ever
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I can only agree with what GT and Toots have already said. Also it is a relaxed friendly teaching enviroment which makes learning a lot easier IMO. professionaly tought and still have a laugh

Backdraught
Feb 11 2006, 11:48 AM
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Just like to say thanks to all the staff at PITT.

Did the tiling course last august and had been pondering doing the plumbing course for some time. Did it this week, went to my local for a pint on friday night and picked-up a full en-suite refurb job.

Both of the courses at PITT have been excellent, and i would reiterate what toots etc. have said, it can be bloody hard work, but very satisfying and you are in control.

Good luck
Buzz Feb 11 2006, 10:54 AM
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Hi all,

I am considering a 10 day wall floor tiling course with PITT, what i would like to know is:

Is 10 days really long enough to learn how to tile a full room?

And after the 10 day course, will i be upto a good enough standard to actually start my own business?

Can anybody comment on this?

Many thanks,
Paul

Hi Paul,the 10 day tiling course with Pitt is well worth the money and time.After completing the course my self last year i was amazed at how much we did learn with in the 10 days.I came away with enough knowledge to start up selfemployed and there is plenty of work out there,as i have found out.Well recommended.

Hi Paul,
In answer to your questions - Yes and er.. Yes.
I did just that last year. Did the PITT 10 dayer in Sept and left work end of Oct.
My first quarter was well over a grand more than if I\’d have stayed at my job and that included 3 weeks off over xmas and new year where i earned nowt!!
Believe it or not the best tool you have is the continual help afterwards - it really is invaluable. Going back soon to do the plumbing course.

If you want to PM me for more info feel free
Good luck!

Hiya Paul, i completed the 2 week course last week and have already been asked to tile 2 kitchens a month and the odd en-suite for a local kitchen & bedroom installer.
This was secured by the guy being so impressed with the course notes/literature i let him see.
I\’m buzzing with confidence and can\’t wait to \’get at it\’.
He has a full order-book for 6 months so I\’m off to a flying start!!!!

Thanks for the comments lads, you\’ve made up my mind, i\’ll book a course within the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for the PM offer Toots, might speak to you in a couple of weeks before i book the course if you don\’t mind?

Thanks,
Paul
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Thanks to everyone at the traianing centre, within a few days of completing the course, I\’ve secured my first contract!
A local Kitchen & Bedroom fitter asked to see the course notes/literature and offered me the tiling on 2 kitchens a month and the odd en-suite as they crop up.
Not a bad start for someone who\’d never touched a tile two and half weeks ago.

Thanks again, Phil Feb 7 2006, 08:23 PM wotstankin
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This was a pm to me from Tiling Logistics

After giving the PITT courses a great deal of consideration followed by a visit to the training centre to see the set up and meet the staff I booked and attended a 10 day tiling course in late November. Having completed several training and instructor courses in both Army and civilian life, I am of the opinion that the PITT 10 day course is one of the best.

The quality and level of instruction is superb and having waited for a few months before posting this comment I only wanted to see the level of the 90+ per week technical helpline available that PITT pride themselves on. I have genuinly tested this helpline on at least 6 occasions at all times and have received straight forward friendly technical help from at least three people regardless of the time I have rung or the day of the week.

My advice if you are even contemplating a PITT course. \”Stop procrastinating and book it. I will definately be booking the follow on 5 day plumbing course sometime this year. In the meantime I wish all the staff at PITT the very best for 2006 and all my fellow delegates who attended with me. My one and only problem is I miss my Bitch but all who attended with me will understand.

Regards to all

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics

Hope you dont mind Kev And thanks very much

Jase Jan 30 2006, 12:46 PM

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as a female who has just finished a pitt tiling course i must say it was most informative. . the men on the course were very helpful and supportive.the training was excellent and everyone was friendly. norma in the kitchen was fantastic and fed us well all week.thankyou norma and thankyou to everyone.i will keep in touch to let you know of my progress. thankyou very much ELVIS. xxxxx. Oct 14 2005
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I\’ve just finished the 5 day ceramic tiling course, it was excellent highly recommend to everyone as a female who was apprehensive about being in a male only environment everyone was great co students and staff we have learnt so much this week whilst enjoying ourselves. Hopefully I can convince my hubby to come along now as well. Thanks once again to everyone, Jase, Phil, Paul and Norma for the great food.

Tigger Oct 14 2005, 12:10 PM
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I have just completed the 5 day plumbing course and am amazed at the amount of stuff that I now know.
I had done the tiling course and was not sure whether or not to book on the plumbing course.
At the start of the course I was worried that I would still not know enough about plumbing to be able to put on my business cards that I could do full bathroom installations. How wrong I was!!!!
Thanks to the trainers John and Roger who were always on hand with helpful tips and advise.
I would recommend anyone considering this course to just go ahead and do it as it is quite amazing what you will know and be able to do at the end of the 5 days
mojo Oct 13 2005, 07:52 PM
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hi to you all , thats PAUL , STEVE AND JASE , sorry its taken me so long to get on but comp, was bust.
well what can i say only thanks over and over again, it was a great course and we had fun doing it,
and the lads on the course was great to witch makes it even better.
i have put my ad in the paper and the phone has just started to ring today so lots to price up . and could i just say about the tools i got with the set where bril , i will let you know how i get on , thanks to you all russ Oct 11 2005, 11:21 PM
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Hi to all! Completed the 10 day tiling course way back in Sept (16th). What can i say? Been tiling on and off for about 18 years, how on earth did i manage to get away with being a cowboy for so long?? Learnt far more than i thort possible (down to the team!!)- so much so that I\’m leaving work at the end of the month and going for it. Sorted out bank, public liability and a couple of customers. Just need a van and more customers!! No job satisfaction at work but always get loads from tiling. Thanks again Jase, Steve Paul and all (oh! and not forgetting Norma).
Mike McLeary, Toots Oct 10 2005, 09:09 PM
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Just a few lines to thank Paul Riley and his very professional team.Had loads of fun,met lots of new and now dear friends.It,s very hard work but everything comes together in the end.A very worthwhile course and worth every penny……….big thanks to sponge…………..cheers Phil Walker Oct 8 2005, 07:52 PM
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Thanks to everyone at PITT, the course was fantastic and you made us feel very much at home. A good laugh had by all, I think you\’ll agree. Went to my sisters yesterday to price her bathroom floor up, can\’t wait to start.
Good luck to everyone, Mark. verona Oct 9 2005, 08:52 AM
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Hi Guys, a big thanks to Jase & Steve,the best teachers you could ever need.Well thought out,and well put over.It was bloody hard work but thoroughly enjoyable.Well worth the money spent,the tool package,what more can I say.Cock on.
all the staff were friendly & very professional.If your thinking of doing the 10 day course,do it you won\’t regret it.I didn\’t.
hobbit Oct 7 2005, 08:50 PM
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Just like to tank you all once more it was a brilliant course only down side was the little guy with the hairy feet :

acdc tiling Oct 8 2005, 11:47 AM
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hi me and my mate did the 5 day pitt course in january.been doing small jobs for family and friends,so a couple of weeks ago we started to advertise got one bathroom last week.yesterday got a phone call from a contractor for tiling work in a resturant and bar 250m2 quoted £5200. just got a call saying he wants us to start on wednesday talk about sh**ting it.
we have only just applied for our cis cards will he want to see them before we start or when its time to pay?
its just that i dont want to loose this work because the contractor has got 30 more of these bars to do.

mufc Oct 7 2005, 07:37 PM
Yes but we will support you all the way 88 hours a week.
PITT technical team.
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Thank you for a most excellent course, the quality of training was outstanding. I\’ve already used a large percentage of my new found knowledge not only in tiling but also in telling \”Mrs Jones that she is going to have to tank her shower room. I used the Feign thingamejig half a dozen times on my first day back so money well spent.
Paul plumbing notes in the post tomorrow.

Thanks to you all, Trucky
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recently attended 10day tiling &5day plumbing course for darren &co 5sept group te plumbers course was well worth attending gained loads of useful tips from both lads learnt lots from cockups too no hard sell of tools sorry paul feel brave enough to tackle most domestic jobs a cracking 3wks in all jim
alasdair Sep 29 2005, 01:02 PM
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just like to say a massive thanks to Paul, Jason,Steve and all at PITT for an invaluable week at the training centre, Although i have done quite a bit of DIY over the years the fourth time of being made redundent in the last 10 years has given me the kick up the backside to start my own buisness and the course has given me the confidence to start my new venture in january as a tiler.
again my thanks to you all

sapphire Nov 20 2004, 09:40 AM

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I went on the 10 day course back in july as soon as i completed the course i placed an add in the local paper (liverpool) and my phone hasn\’t stopped ringing.A big thanks to all the lads who i must say were very professional in what they taught us and if it wasn\’t for doing this course would be in another dead end job,instead i am earning loads more money with hours to suit me with nobody looking over my shoulder.The helpline is excellent i have needed a bit of advice a few times and there is allways somebody there to answer any questions, that it-self is a big weight off your mind when you are stuck on a job knowing there is somebody on the other end of the line all day any day to help you out stop on lads keep up the good work.

ian young (posted Oct 3 2005, 08:21 PM )
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Have just finished a tiling course on Sunday and can honestly say that the money I have spent was more than worth it.
I would never have thought anyone could learn this much about the industry in only 5 days.
All trainers were proffessional and easy to approach for answers to my many questions.

The food was delicious, I have been on a few conference/training days in hotels with my previous job and not had food as good.

Finally, thanks to Paul and all his staff for providing me with an excellent basis on which to begin my new career in tiling. Thanks to the girls in the office who provided the eye candy.

Mojo
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Couldnt agree more, after around 6 years tiling i learned some (embarssingly) new tips, such as the datum line and staff etc, staff comes extremely handy.

Training was spot on, no bullshit but just got on with it which made it simpler to understand.

Staff were very freindly and knew what they were talking about, facility was brilliant as was Nora with food.

Cheers guys and see you on the 3rd october when ill be doing the plumbing course.

tiler from spain
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Finished 5 day pitt course today would like to say a big thanks to Paul , Jase , Steve and the team for a great week . It was money very well spent and set me on the road to hopefully becoming a tiler . I would recomend this course to any wana be tilers out there .
THANKS AGAIN ALAN
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I can\’t aggree with you more guys , i had the most enjoyable week i have had for a long time , great set of lads , great set of trainers , would also like to thank
Paul , jase , steve and not forgetting those that fed us , reccomend it to anybody
money well spent , cheers.

Trev

TBTiling . Ceramic Wall & Floor Tiling
Derby
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massive thanks to paul and jason for all the info and training last week at p i t t
i wasnt too sure if tiling was my thing due to lack of confidence, but after last week i feel ready to go .i have my first job next week which will hopefully pay my course fees back..once again many thanks to you all.
hope to see you soon, i need to visit the shop
simon mortimer
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Did the 5 day tiling course recently. I didn\’t know how I\’d do as I\’ve never tiled before. The tuition from Jase, Steve & Paul was excellent. I couldn\’t beleive just how much I learned. So much so by the 3rd day, I knew that the tiling job we had had done in our kitchen was rubbish! Haven\’t told the Mrs, she\’ll want it re-doing!
Thanks to all staff at PITT. I\’ve just got my first couple of jobs to quote on. Will let you know when I\’ve done the first one.
Cheers.

TimTiler.
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Thanks for your e mail Tony hope you dont mind us posting it here.
Once again thank you.
The PITT team

Subject: 5 Day Course
Comments: Hi to everyone at PITT.
I recently completed the 5 day course and would like to say a big thank you to all the staff there at PITT. I found the course to be extremely informative and enjoyable. I had serious doubts about how much could be learned in such a short time but all of these doubts and fears were allayed. What a brilliant course this really is, the tutors are a cut above many trainers I have met, very down to earth, friendly and above all so very, very knowledgeable. PROFESSIONAL is the key word in this company name, I have nothing but praise for PITT.
I have already recouped the cost of the course many times over, I feel confident in doing the job and secure in the knowledge that there is someone I can talk to should the need arise. Well done all of you, long may PITT prosper.

Tony
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Thanks for a great course, It enabled me to expand a job from fitting a kitchen sink to fitting & tiling the whole kitchen.

davwes
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hi completed 10 day course in may , what can i say but excellent , well worth the money spent , training team excellent , i learnt loads i am self employed as a tiler going well . go 4 it good course ( nights out good as well te he ) cheers les

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HI
Did the PITT 5 day course well worth the time and money learnt loads now self employed tiling on my own. All PITT trainers were full of info and wanted people to go away being able to \” do the job \”. Considering the money i\’ve spent since on tools etc may be worth doing the 10 day course with the tool included…..

B Wilson
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Paul, Jason & Tracey
just a quick thanku to u guys for a great week of fun tile training.
i learnt far more than expected and didn\’t personally want it 2 end.
would say 2 anybody that that has never tiled before and like wise, people with surposed experience, to get your butts down to this five daya as i\’m sure you\’ll have agreat couple of days and learn so much.
Paul keep me down for the under floor heating course later on in the year if u still intend 2 run 1…..next month is a bit 2 close for me at the moment.
cheers guys/girl
jon warnell

p.s long live epoxy…..the new stuff is the dogs danglers
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I did the 10 day course and found is was well worth it especially if you are planning to do it full time. Better to make a mistake in the training room than in a customers house, might just cost you a few weeks wages to put it right. As for the tool package go for it, if you look carefully at what you get compared to individually pricing then it isn\’t hard to figure that you are getting additional discount on some rather good tools.What they have set up is the minimum you will need and you will most certainly be buying additional tools etc ( think Paul has booked 2 weeks away on the strenght of what I spent! ) Seriously though, equip yourself with the best you can afford, plumber mates of mine told me that crap gear always lets you down at the time you need them. Don\’t want to look like a \”fat lad \”infront of the customer!!
As for getting your first customers, get to know a couple of plumbers , if they are tiling then they aren\’t earning as much as they can plumbing, and alot hate tiling! Also getting in with a few plasters won\’t go amiss as you can pass work to each other.
I did the course approx 4 week ago and have done 3 jobs so far , number 4 starts Monday. Combination of the holidays and just starting up means thin pickings but my way forward is price right, take your time on the job so you do the best you can and above all CLEAN UP after yourself. I have heard alot of bad reports of tilers you leave a right mess behind. Getting a good reputation and building your speed up ensures that you can charge more at a later day. My last job was given to me because a local tiler charges top whack and rushes the job.
Hope you find my input helpful
tim1173 Aug 12 2005, 01:52

www.professional-itt.com 

CSD from TileForums.com writes “Here’s a couple of pics of a Victorian floor I’ve just restored. I used Heavy Duty Tile and Grout Cleaner, Sealer and Adhesive Stripper, Poultice and sealed with Low Sheen and polished with Floor Hardener. These pics are prior to polishing.

It went well, but it was impossible (unsurprisingly) to get them spotless as they were in a real bad state. They had been covered in brick acid and were badly etched, and covered in pin holes that were impossible to completely clean, even with a scrubber on them.”

http://www.tilestonesolutions.co.uk

‘Last week I completed the PITT 5 day tiling course. I read the reviews and comments before deciding and have to agree it’s great course! I can’t believe how much I learned in just 5 days!

Before the course I had never picked up a tile, now I will be able to tile the bathroom & kitchen no problem.

The staff are great. Jase has vast experience in teaching and it shows, he really does know his stuff and is great at demostrating the various skills and techniques involved. The boys Kev & Phil are on hand to give help and advice too. Ohh and lunch which is included in the price is of a very high standard.

If you want to learn tiling then this course is a must for you and will not only benefit inexperienced tilers like myself but also experienced tilers or people with a basic knowledge and want to learn even more.’

source: Tile Forums Tiling Courses Comments

Paul

I just wanted to forward a few lines to you to express my thanks for all the hard work you and all your staff (including admin / trades direct) for helping me develop my skills and focus on an exciting and challenging new career.

Being in my late 40’s and in the same career for the past 32yrs (which was predominantly office based for last 10) I decided that if I wanted a change of direction it must happen now or it never would. I therefore decided to focus on plumbing, signing up for a 2year city & guild level 2 course in September 2006. The course, which is modular, is run over 2 evenings a week (1 x theory / 1 x practical) each session being of 3hrs duration.

In the spring of 2007, being part way through the plumbing course, I became aware of PITT, having been tremendously impressed by a tiler from Stafford, Mark Riley, who had tiled our conservatory floor to a very high standard, having been trained a matter of months earlier at the centre.

Having visited PITT and been impressed by the facilities, the training structure and friendly family atmosphere, I put my hand into my pocket and paid for the 2 week wall and tile course. What a good decision. The only problem I had was that having attended this 2 weeks I realised that although tiling I had done in my own home over the years had looked good, maybe I’d been lucky that the tiles had remained on the wall and that water hadn’t come through the ceiling into the kitchen below!!!! (Oh well I’ll do it right in future) I also just wanted more knowledge and experience before going out into the big wide world selling my newly acquired skills. The next step was the advanced course albeit PITT have a ruling that you can’t attend this unless you have attended the wall / floor and 5 day plumbing course. What a dilemma, obviously the investment of the extra weeks plumbing course is quite large in both time and expense, having already invested effort in the C&G course. However, being keen to attend the advanced tiling course, I decided the extra knowledge and experience within the plumbing field would be beneficial.

In October 2007 I attended the PITT plumbing course, being at that time just over half way though the C&G course. What a good week I had. My view on the 5 day course is that it does exactly what it says on the package!!!! John, who is the instructor in the area (and also a qualified electrician and carpenter) has a very relaxed approach to the input, focusing totally on the basics of water plumbing enabling a tiler to be confident in going into a bathroom where he / she can be knowledgeable in discussions with the client surrounding the removal and replacement of toilet / WC / bath. Additional subjects surrounding different hot / cold water and heating systems were also discussed. This, together with instruction on pipe bending and soldering, gave a very good overview of the skills required to remove / replace bathroom fitments, including resituating in the same room.

One of the questions I have been asked is “what is the difference between the 2 courses and given your time again which course would you attend?”

My response to that question is that it all depends on your circumstances, how much time you have available and what you are aiming to achieve. The summary of my thoughts are:

C&G
The course is very informative giving an excellent knowledge base of the industry and going into great depth on specific subjects. This is essential in giving a firm foundation for the individual who wishes to progress his / her career within the plumbing field to higher levels and possibly becoming involved with gas.
My honest view is however that some of the subjects covered in depth, should not be contained within the curriculum and should be treated as specialist subjects, being available for further training if the candidate requires i.e. lead flashing / low carbon steel pipe work.

PITT 5 day course.
The course is a very succinct, practically based course, covering the basics of plumbing and focusing specifically on the safe and efficient removal / replacement of bathroom fitments. I feel this is an excellent course which provides the foundations of knowledge, thereby enabling the candidate to return home and develop / practice the skills learnt and utilise them within the workplace. I’ve made these observations following discussions with other tilers who have attended the course and now feel confident to take the newly acquired skills further.

Just to reiterate a comment I made earlier, I would again like to thank all at PITT for the extremely efficient and friendly way they ALL act and the support they have, and are continuing to give me in this challenging period.

Malc

Sep 15 2007, 01:22 PM
Ray Scobie.
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HI just a note to say what an excellent course. Just finished the 15 day course including the plumbing. It was great. Jase Paul and John and the rest of the team are the most welcoming bunch of guys. That includes you Angela, Sharon and Norma (she does the food mmmm).

To be honest I looked around to find the course that everyone was talking about and found PITT. I did not know what to expect but was very happy with the quality of the training. The course is a mix of theory with lots of hands on stuff.

In addition to the course notes you get the benefit of at least a hundred years of combined experience from the team. They give advice (which continues after the course I’ll need that.

Think this is something written by PITT. No chance. 07867 910666 if you want to prove it is real
Ivan B
Sep 10 2007, 09:50 AM
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hi there,iam doing the 20 day course in october,but still feel uneasey as never done it before,and then doing it for a living,in your opinon do you think that is possible?as you just done the course,was it a whole new world?
mayes440
Sep 10 2007, 03:43 PM
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Yes it was a whole new world. I am a desk jockey and I managed the course so the physical stuff is not too strenuous.

PITT prepare you well and as you are on the 20 day course you will be doing a job as a group in the last week. This will in someones home or something similar and give you the opportunity to put your new skills to use.

Can you make a living? Many do but like most things you only get what you put into it.

You will see that some on the forum go through quiet patches but there is work out there. You would just need to be flexible and sometimes be willing to go where the work is.

If you are starting out apart from maybe a few jobs for friends (or just one) start charging. This stops friends and ‘new’ friends using you to get cheap good quality tiling.

The continuing support from Jase and the team is real as I saw Jase on the forum and on the phone answering queries.

Good luck mate
Ivan B
Sep 11 2007, 10:31 AM
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Here is a question asked in the tileforums. by mayes440

HI ive just booked myself a 20 day course at PITT starting october,this for me this is a carrer change but can i really do it,ive drove trucks for 15 years and just had enough of the traffic etc,tiling is some thing ive been looking at for some time,and dont have any experience at all,bar a few goes at the kitchen wall,like most people have,has any body been in the same situation and can put me at ease.

kelv
Sep 5 2007, 04:17 PM

Read the topic answers.

welcome to the forum, there’s a lot of people been in the same position on here and I’m sure you will get plenty of replies but you have made the right choice in choosing pitt as the training is first class the rest is up to you it will be hard at first but worthwhile

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www.daveyoungtiling.co.uk
NVQ Assessor
Sep 5 2007, 04:53 PM