LATICRETE hosted a Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) contractor certification event at its Bethany, Conn., headquarters on May 10.

An educational institution that offers local, regional and national training programs for those focused on the installation of ceramic tile, CTEF's tile installer certification program is a non-proprietary, standards-based regimen that ensures installer skill level with strong industry backing. It was created as a means for consumers to identify tile contractors committed to providing quality installations.

Co-hosting this event was Tile America, a leading tile retailer with 30 stores stretching from Vermont to North Carolina. “This is a growing program because certified installers are in such demand,” said Steve Rampino, LATICRETE Technical Services Training Supervisor. "CTEF certification involves both an online written test, and a physical installation test. Although the installation is small in terms of physical size, it takes most people about eight hours and is frankly, very challenging. It really measures the skill of the installer.”

“Scott Carothers, CTEF President, was here to direct the event," continued Rampino. "Without question, he really put the installers to the test. We at LATICRETE share the same philosophy that CTEF has relative to doing it right. That's one reason why this event was so successful. We both believe that the best tile contractor is one who is committed to continually learning about and upgrading installation techniques."