A new education partnership designed to boost the number of qualified tilers in the UK has been launched by Topps Tiles.
The UK tile specialist is teaming up with Leeds College of Building and South & City College Birmingham to inspire the next generation of skilled tradespeople.
The partnership comes in response to a troubling decline in skilled tilers. The UK needs around 37,650 wall and floor tilers by 2028, according to CITB Labour Market Intelligence Report 2024-2028 forecasts. In 2004, over 47,300 tilers were recorded in the UK, but this plummeted by nearly 34% to 31,300 roles in 2020.
To counter this, Topps Tiles is transferring 50% of its Apprenticeship Levy funds (government tax employers pay to fund apprenticeship training) to support small tiling companies wanting to take on a tiling apprentice. This is the maximum Apprenticeship Levy amount an organisation can gift.
As part of the initiative, Topps Tiles will promote the tiling apprenticeship training delivered at Leeds College of Building and South & City College Birmingham via in-store and online promotions. The company has already donated tens of thousands of pounds of tiling equipment and materials to both colleges to support teaching.
Although few colleges in England still offer wall and floor tiling training, it is an established part of the construction curriculum at South & City College Birmingham and Leeds College of Building. In 2022, the government removed funding for Level 2 Wall & Floor Tiling Diplomas, which halted progression routes for full-time students. However, both colleges still offer a Level 2 Wall & Floor Tiling Apprenticeship Standard, usually completed over two years. Apprentices travel to the colleges from as far away as Northumberland to Lincolnshire.
Rebecca Waterfield, Executive Director: Business Development at South & City College Birmingham, said: “Tilers are in high demand for both commercial and home projects, but a skills gap is growing due to reduced training funding and an ageing workforce. From homes to industry, apprentices must master safe working practices and quality finishes. Training young tilers is vital to keep the trade alive and to be working with a renowned national brand brings significant advantages to our students.”
John Shaw, Learning & Development Manager at Topps Tiles, added: “Fresh talent is urgently needed to keep up with industry demands, so our new education partnership is vital for the industry and the wider economy.”
