Due to the current pandemic situation that is requiring many employees to stay at home until the virus gets under control, the University of Ceramic Tile and Stone is offering online courses.

The Understanding the Basics of Ceramic Tile course teaches the basics of tile including terminology, usage, how it is manufactured, how it is installed, describing all of the various installation products, how to assist customers, professional upselling, and how to maintain tile. Throughout the course professional sales techniques and tactics are taught.  This course is designed to give salespeople the tools they need in order to increase sales and avoid customer false expectations.  It introduces tile installers and sales representatives to industry standards.  It teaches how to professionally assist clients with selecting tile and the various types of installation products and systems.  It teaches how to professionally upsell by giving your customer a choice.  This course can be completed within 6 to 8 hours on average.

The Understanding the Basics of Natural Stone course teaches the basics of natural stone including terminology, the geology of the various types of stone, usage, how it is quarried, processed and fabricated. The course describes how stone is installed with all of the various installation products.  The course teaches how to assist customers, professional up selling, and how to maintain natural stone. Throughout the course professional sales techniques and tactics are taught.  This course is designed to give salespeople the tools they need in order to increase sales and avoid customer false expectations.  It introduces stone installers and sales representatives to industry standards.  It teaches how to professionally assist clients with selecting natural stone and the various types of installation products and systems.  It teaches how to professionally up sell by giving your customer a choice. This course can be completed within 6 to 8 hours on average. 

The Tile Installer Thin-set Standards (ITS) Verification course teaches installers, setters and helpers, and technical service and sales representatives industry installation standards, practices, and proper installation methods for tile applications.  The course applies to ceramic tile, porcelain tile, stone tile, glass tile and other types of adhered tile materials.  The course covers how to inspect and prepare substrates. How to achieve full thin-set contact.  How to layout and install tile for various types of applications.  How to grout with various types of grout.  And a lesson on how to avoid potential problems and failures. 

The ITS Verification course has an extensive section for teaching installers how to install Gauged Porcelain Tile Panels and showing the tools that will be needed.  It demonstrates and provides in detail on how to install the large thin tile panels on walls as well as on floors.  The course also describes how to install glass tile, shower pans, steam showers, swimming pools, and other applications. This course can be completed within 5 to 6 hours on average.

The Complete Guide on Developing Tile & Stone Specifications with Architects course is complete. This course is a "must take" for anyone doing or interested in doing architectural sales.  It covers everything from how to write what we call "bullet proof specs" (ones that can’t be easily changed), how to find and track projects, and how to develop relationships with architects and others to help ensure making the sale. Upon completion of the course the student is provided with a porcelain tile specification template and a natural stone specification template.  This course requires 2 tuitions for registration. This course can be completed within 5 to 6 hours on average.

UofCTS Online educational courses are available through many key organizations in the tile and stone industry where members receive special discounts. Courses can be purchased through CTDA at www.ctdahome.org, through Fuse Alliance at www.fusealliance.com, through NTCA at www.tile-assn.com, and through TTMAC at www.ttmac.com, or at the UofCTS website at www.uofcts.org.

As is clearly understood by successful businesses, the fastest way to increase profits and avoid problems is through education. Once installers or employees are trained, they will become more confident, credible, and effective in their jobs.  With proper training of your employees, there will be less costly failures and problems, and more sales, profit and repeat business.  The return on your investment is never ending. 

To see video previews of each of the courses visit the UofCTS website at https://uofcts.org/online-courses/.