The Tile Association (TTA) have appointed a National Training Advisor and have received funding from the Department of Trade & Industry to develop NVQs for tile retailers.

The TTA, formed two years ago by the amalgamation of the Tile Manufacturers\' Association, the British Ceramic Tile Association and the National Master Tile Fixers Association, says practically all its distributor members and most of its retail members sell stone tiles as well as ceramic tiles these days and the NVQ will include product knowledge training.

To make the NVQ as accessible as possible it will be available in an open learning format so staff can obtain a qualification without having to attend college.

The latest development follows TTA\'s launch of a training plan at the Expotile exhibition earlier in the year.

TTA operate a warranty scheme, which not only gives customers confidence that the work is guaranteed for three to six years on contracts valued at less £40,000 and for up to 10 years on larger contracts, it also means there is no longer any reason for retentions on members\' work.

Stan Valler of WB Simpson & Sons (Tiling) says the warranty enables him to make a condition of his estimate for small contracts that there will be no retentions.

To find out more contact TTA: