SAN DIEGO, CA -- The University of Ceramic Tile and Stone (UofCTS), a developer of online educational coursework for the tile and stone industry, has received endorsement of its core curriculum by the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA). As an added benefit for NTCA members, UofCTS online courses will be offered through the NTCA website and individuals who sign up will receive a special membership discount.

Included in the lineup of available courses are "Understanding the Basics of Ceramic Tile" and "Understanding the Basics of Natural Stone" that take a comprehensive look at the stone and ceramic tile industry. The courses teach industry standards, technical information about tile and stone and sales techniques and are designed to give salespeople the tools they need in order to increase sales.

The "Tile Installer Thin-set Standards" (ITS) verification course instructs installers, setters and finishers, on industry standards and practices, manufacturers' requirements and proper installation methods for tile thin-set applications that apply to ceramic tile, porcelain tile, stone tile, glass tile and other types of adhered tile materials. The course also teaches how to inspect and prepare substrates and tiles, how to achieve full thin-set coverage and points out quality workmanship requirements and practices. Tile installers who complete the ITS verification course receive a certificate of completion and must renew it every two years to remain current with industry standards. The ITS course is available in English and Spanish.

Referring to the new partnership Donato Pompo, founder of the UofCTS, said "NTCA has always been dedicated to providing education to the tile contracting trade and we are excited to collaborate with them to bring the highest quality online courses in the industry."
In addition to providing the "UofCTS Online" courses on tile and stone and the ITS verification course for installers, UofCTS is assisting NTCA in developing other online courses for their new online apprenticeship training program. 

For details on purchasing any of the UofCTS online courses, please visit the NTCA website at www.tile-assn.com. The page contains video previews of the courses with more descriptions of the subjects covered in each.

Students have 14 days to complete courses, which are accessible online, at all times. The benefits of online training are many, including: convenience and no travel costs or loss of work. All that is required is a computer and an internet connection. Upon successful completion of any course, students are able to print a certificate and download a reference guide.