Wall and floor tiler
Core building tradesperson · Technical · Onsite Construction
The official framework — 72 requirements.
Every Knowledge, Skill and Behaviour below is the verbatim regulatory text of the Wall and floor tiler apprenticeship standard (v1.4). On EngTree, each one becomes a node — verified knowledge entries, training modules and End-Point Assessment evidence all map back to it.
Knowledge (35)
What the apprentice must understand
- K1
Awareness of health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance (Emergencies and First Aid provision and mandatory reporting of accidents and near misses) and impact on role. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). Fire safety. Health and Safety at Work Act. Asbestos awareness. Manual handling. signage, fire extinguishers. Safety signage. Situational awareness. Slips, trips, and falls. Working in confined spaces. Electrical safety, emergency stop procedures. Lone working. Safety equipment and guards on machinery and power tools.
- K2
Safety Control equipment and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE) respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and dust suppression.
- K3
Working at height equipment and safe use.
- K4
Safe systems of work: Site specific inductions, risk assessments, method statements and hazard identification in the work area.
- K5
Standards and regulations relevant to the wall and floor tiler role: British Standards including BS5385, BS8000, building regulations, quality standards and Codes of Practice including the installation of movement joints and construction joints in line with the tolerances set out within the standards.
- K6
Tiling industry: private residential, new construction, commercial, refurbishment, retrofit.
- K7
Construction technology: traditional, modern. Principles of buildings: structural support, cavity wall, timber frame, steel frame, modern methods of construction.
- K8
Order of work methods and techniques. Pre-installation checks.
- K9
Protection of work area and adjacent finishes.
- K10
Wall and floor tiles: ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, agglomerate and mosaics tiles. Characteristics, quality, uses.
- K11
Resource estimation techniques relevant to the role.
- K12
Substrate: types, weight limits, preparation for tiling techniques, drying and curing times: adhesives, grouts, primers, levelling compounds, screeds, render, anti-fracture membranes, board systems.
- K13
Setting out techniques for wall and floor tiling.
- K14
Techniques for measuring, marking and cutting materials including cutting around obstacles and using laser levels.
- K15
Wall and floor tiles fixing techniques.
- K16
Wall and floor tiles removal techniques and methods.
- K17
Electric underfloor heating: installation techniques.
- K18
Decoupling membranes: uses and characteristics.
- K19
Tanking: types and installation techniques.
- K20
Techniques to select and apply adhesives for wall and floor tiling.
- K21
Techniques to select, apply and finish grouts for wall and floor tiling.
- K22
Techniques to rectify defects or damages.
- K23
Handover process to commercial and domestic customers.
- K24
Techniques of using tools and equipment: power tools, hand tools, cutting tools and measuring equipment.
- K25
Techniques and methods of moving, handling and storing tools and equipment: hand, power and cutting tools, materials and measuring equipment.
- K26
Methods of interpreting and extracting relevant information from drawings, specifications, digital documents, and work instructions, including manufacturers instructions
- K27
Awareness of environmental and sustainability regulations and the principles of recycling, reusing, and disposing of waste.
- K28
Team working techniques.
- K29
Verbal communication techniques. Giving and receiving information. Matching style to audience. Barriers in communication and how to overcome them.
- K30
Responsibilities and methods for reporting non-compliance with regulations or Standards.
- K31
Contractual arrangements: penalty clauses, customer rights and product as described.
- K32
Principles of inclusion, equity, and diversity in the workplace.
- K33
Well-being: mental and physical health considerations in yourself and others and how to access support.
- K34
Employment types (self employed and employed), small business start up principles and tax responsibilities.
- K35
Final inspection and workplace documentation and methods of completing.
Skills (31)
What the apprentice must be able to do
- S1
Follow procedures and comply with health and safety regulations, standards, and statutory guidance.
- S2
Identify and use personal protective equipment (PPE), respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and dust suppression.
- S3
Comply with risk assessments, method statements and safe systems of work.
- S4
Use access and work at height equipment, for example step ladders, podium steps, hop up safety platforms.
- S5
Plan order of works and carry out pre-installation checks.
- S6
Protect work area and adjacent finishes.
- S7
Prepare and maintain working area.
- S8
Select and use wall and floor tiles such as ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, agglomerate and mosaics tiles.
- S9
Calculate required amounts of tiles, materials, and resources for the work requirements.
- S10
Select and use substrate primer.
- S11
Set out for tiling wall and floor areas.
- S12
Measure, mark and cut tiles including cutting around obstacles and using laser levels.
- S13
Fix wall and floor tiles.
- S14
Install electric under-tile heating.
- S15
Install decoupling membranes.
- S16
Install tanking systems.
- S17
Apply adhesives in preparation to fix tiles to wall and floor surfaces.
- S18
Grout and finish tiles that are fixed to wall or floor areas.
- S19
Complete final inspections and workplace documentation.
- S20
Complete a customer or site manager handover.
- S21
Select, check, and use hand, power, cutting tools and measuring equipment.
- S22
Move and store hand, power and cutting tools, measuring equipment and materials.
- S23
Read and interpret information from manufacturers guidance and other sources, for example from drawings, specifications, digital documents, or work instructions.
- S24
Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
- S25
Ensure materials are used efficiently and sustainably.
- S26
Apply team working principles.
- S27
Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- S28
Remove wall and floor tiles.
- S29
Carry out and record learning and development activities.
- S30
Identity substrates and prepare for tiling using renders, levelling compounds and screeds.
- S31
Rectifies defects and damages.
Behaviours (6)
How the apprentice must conduct themselves
- B1
Put wellbeing, health, and safety first.
- B2
Take ownership of given work.
- B3
Maintain working relationships with colleagues, customers and others.
- B4
Consider the environment when using resources and carrying out processes.
- B5
Seek learning and development opportunities.
- B6
Contribute to an inclusive and diverse culture.
This framework is where Pathways
meets verified knowledge.
Scenarios practise these requirements. Verified entries teach them. The evidence portfolio proves them. One spine, three surfaces.