The first-ever All-Women Certified Tile Installer (CTI) test was held in Vero Beach, Florida, on March 8, International Women's Day. The event brought together female tile professionals from across the country who will demonstrate their expertise and undergo certification testing, marking a significant advancement for women in this traditionally male-dominated field.

The initiative was collaborative between Carpet & Tile Warehouse, Women in Tile, the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF), and the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA). Daltile sponsored the event. 

"This important event empowers skilled women and encourages others to pursue careers in the tile installation field, a mission that Daltile strives to continuously support," said Hilary Frank, vice president of commercial sales and business development at Dal-Tile LLC. "We are honored to act as a small part in the well-oiled machine that developed this next step of female inclusivity in the tile industry."

The five-day program extended beyond certification testing to include professional development workshops covering essential topics such as business modeling, negotiation strategies, and financial management. These supplementary sessions aim to equip participants with the comprehensive skills needed to thrive in the industry.

According to Daltile, the event creates a supportive environment for women to advance their careers while also inspiring others to join the field. Industry leaders hope this initiative will help create a more diverse workforce within the traditionally male-dominated tile installation profession.