The Level 2 Wall And Floor Tiler, and the 5 providers delivering it.
Tiling walls and floors.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Wall and floor tiling is a skilled trade requiring precise measurement, surface preparation, and the correct application of adhesives, grouts, and tile materials across a range of substrates. Apprentices learn to read technical drawings, set out tiling patterns, cut tiles accurately, and finish joints to a professional standard. They also cover health and safety on site, selection of appropriate materials for wet and dry areas, and the correct use and maintenance of hand and power tools.
Day-to-day responsibilities
On a typical working week, an apprentice will be preparing surfaces by cleaning, levelling, and priming them before laying out tile patterns and fixing tiles to walls and floors using the correct adhesive for the substrate. They will use angle grinders, tile cutters, and spirit levels regularly. Grouting, sealing, and making good around fixtures such as baths, shower trays, and skirting are also routine tasks. Much of the work takes place on construction sites or in domestic and commercial properties under the supervision of an experienced tiler.
Career outlook
Completing this apprenticeship leads to roles such as Tiler, Wall and Floor Tiler, or Tile Fixer. Progression often moves toward self-employment or subcontracting, which is common in the trade. Experienced tilers can specialise in areas such as large-format or decorative tiling and may take on site supervisor responsibilities over time. Employers include housebuilders, fit-out contractors, specialist tiling companies, and property maintenance firms. Demand for skilled tilers is consistent across both new-build residential projects and commercial refurbishment work.
5 approved providers
Sorted by achievement rate.
Preston College is a further education provider based in Preston, Lancashire, offering a wide range ...
Sandwell College is a large further education provider based in West Bromwich offering a wide range ...
New City College is a large further education provider with multiple campuses across East London and...
Leeds College of Building (LCB) is the UK’s only specialist further education college focused solely...
Skills Construction Centre is a community-based VCSE training provider focused on helping people bui...
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Completing this standard typically leads to work as a Wall and Floor Tiler, either employed directly by a tiling or general building contractor or operating as a sole trader on domestic and commercial projects. Some completers join specialist fit-out firms as a Tiler or Finishes Operative, working on new-build housing, refurbishment contracts, or commercial interiors. The role involves setting out tile layouts, preparing surfaces, cutting and fixing ceramic, porcelain, stone and mosaic tiles, and applying grouts and sealants to a finished standard.
Progression paths
Within three to five years, experienced tilers often move into a Lead Tiler or Working Supervisor position, taking responsibility for a small team on larger contracts. Those with commercial experience may progress to Site Supervisor or Finishing Trades Foreman roles with regional contractors. The deep-specialist track tends towards high-end residential and heritage work, including natural stone restoration and intricate decorative tiling, where reputation and craftsmanship command stronger rates. Some tilers pursue self-employment full-time, building their own client base across bathroom fitting, kitchen refurbishment and commercial maintenance contracts.
Where these roles sit
Demand comes from housebuilders, specialist tiling subcontractors, bathroom and kitchen fit-out companies, hotel and leisure refurbishment firms, and facilities management contractors. Local authorities and housing associations also commission tiling work through planned maintenance programmes. Opportunities exist across the private residential market, commercial office fit-out, hospitality and healthcare construction, meaning work is available across most regions of England and Wales wherever building activity is sustained.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Throughout the programme, learning takes place in a real employment setting, with the apprentice developing practical tiling skills alongside theoretical knowledge of materials, surfaces, and fixing methods. Before moving to final assessment, the apprentice and their employer or training provider confirm readiness through a gateway stage, which checks that the required knowledge, skills, and behaviours have been developed to a sufficient level. Final assessment then confirms the apprentice can carry out wall and floor tiling work to industry standards. Assessment arrangements for many construction standards are currently being updated, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
Collecting evidence of real work throughout the programme is far more manageable than trying to gather it at the end. Apprentices should document the range of tiling tasks they complete, the materials and substrates they work with, and any problems they have resolved on site. Working closely with both the employer and training provider ensures that progress is reviewed regularly and any gaps in competence are addressed well before the gateway stage, giving the best chance of a strong final assessment outcome.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
Look for providers with dedicated tiling workshops where apprentices practise on full-scale installations, not just sample boards. An achievement rate above 65% is a reasonable baseline for this standard; above 75% suggests the provider retains and supports learners through a demanding 30-month programme. Employer satisfaction scores on the FATP profile indicate whether providers engage meaningfully with hiring businesses rather than treating them as a source of sign-ups. Check that tutors hold current trade experience, since materials, adhesives and grout systems evolve, and site standards for levelling, waterproofing and surface preparation change with building regulations.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious if a provider cannot show that practical sessions take place on realistic substrates, including wet rooms, awkward angles and large-format tiles, as bench exercises on flat panels do not reflect site conditions. A high volume of apprentices combined with a falling achievement rate often points to weak learner support or poor initial assessment of candidates. Vague answers about how off-the-job training is structured, or tutors whose trade experience is ten or more years out of date, are both worth probing before signing an agreement.
Questions to ask before you commit
- What does your workshop facility look like, and what surface types and formats do apprentices work on during training?
- How do you keep tutors current with changes to adhesive systems, waterproofing membranes and British Standards relevant to tiling?
- What is your achievement rate for this standard over the last two years?
- How do you handle an apprentice who is struggling with practical competency mid-programme?
- What regions do you cover, and how frequently does off-site training disrupt a learner's time on site?
- Can you show examples of apprentices who have completed and moved into tiling roles or self-employment?
- How do you work with employers to ensure on-site practice supports what is being taught in training?
Common questions
What entry requirements do employers and learners need to know about?
There are no fixed national entry requirements set by the standard, so employers can set their own criteria. In practice, most expect good literacy and numeracy, since measuring and calculating materials is a core part of the job. Some employers ask for GCSEs in maths and English, or equivalent qualifications. Learners must be in paid employment for the duration of the apprenticeship, working in a role where they can practise tiling on real construction or refurbishment sites.
How long does the apprenticeship take and how is learning structured?
The typical duration is 30 months, though this can vary depending on prior experience and how quickly a learner progresses. The apprentice is employed throughout and develops skills on the job, supported by a training provider. Some learning takes place off the job, whether at a college, training centre, or through structured study. For the current off-the-job requirements, check the full standard on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education website at gov.uk.
How is the apprentice assessed at the end?
Before moving to end-point assessment, the apprentice must pass through the gateway, where the employer, training provider, and apprentice confirm that the required knowledge, skills, and behaviours have been met. Assessment models for many standards are being updated under current reforms, so check gov.uk for the latest specification. In general, the apprentice must demonstrate competence in preparing surfaces, setting out, cutting, and fixing tiles to the required standard.
How does an employer pay for this apprenticeship?
The funding band for this standard is £14,000, which is the maximum amount of apprenticeship funding that can be used to cover training and assessment costs. Larger employers who pay the apprenticeship levy draw costs from their levy account. SMEs that do not pay the levy contribute 5% of the training cost, with government covering the rest. Employers taking on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 pay nothing if they have fewer than 50 employees. Additional incentive payments may also apply.
What does a wall and floor tiler apprentice actually do day to day?
Day-to-day work involves preparing and cleaning surfaces, setting out tile layouts, mixing adhesives, cutting tiles to fit around edges and fixtures, and fixing tiles accurately to walls and floors. The apprentice will also apply grout, seal joints, and check that finished work meets the required level, alignment, and appearance. On larger sites they may work alongside other trades. Over time they build the speed and accuracy expected of a qualified tiler.
What can a qualified tiler do after completing the apprenticeship?
Completing the apprenticeship leads to a level 2 qualification and recognition as a competent wall and floor tiler, which opens the door to employment across construction, refurbishment, and specialist fit-out. Some progress to supervisory roles or move into self-employment as subcontractors. Others go on to study further construction qualifications at level 3 or take specialist training in areas such as natural stone or large-format tiles. A Construction Skills Certification Scheme card is a common next step for site work.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 380.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.