Tile & Terrazzo Allied Craftworkers Apprenticeship, Certificate (733)

Certificate

The Tile and Terrazzo Finisher Certificate Program is a three-year certificate program that provides structured occupational education to qualifying applicants. Qualifying applicants include individuals covered under Third Party Agreements with the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 9. These applicants are registered apprentices progressing toward finisher-level status as well as craftworkers who have completed a BAC apprenticeship program in the respective finishing trade.

The program is organized as a single certificate framework with distinct craft-specific pathways. Upon admission, students select one trade concentration and complete the full sequence of coursework and related instruction within that designated craft. Available pathways include:

• Tile Finisher
• Terrazzo Finisher

Although administered under a unified academic certificate structure, each pathway functions as a standalone curriculum aligned with the competencies, performance standards and supervised on-the-job training requirements of its respective trade. Students complete only one craft pathway and are not required to combine multiple trades within the program of study.

Instruction integrates classroom theory, laboratory application and supervised field experience consistent with apprenticeship standards. Depending on the selected pathway, apprentices develop competencies in safety compliance, surface preparation, material handling, finishing techniques, grinding and polishing methods and quality control procedures specific to tile and terrazzo finishing operations.

Enrollment is limited. Apprentices are under Third Party Agreement sponsorship of the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers. Applicants must apply through the BAC Local 9 application process. Applicants must meet the requirements outlined by the union available on the union’s apprenticeship website: https://local9pa.com/. Interested students can contact the BAC Local 9 at 412-825-0923 for more information.

Program Objectives

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will:

1. Apply regulatory safety standards and risk mitigation procedures in tile and terrazzo finishing operations.
2. Interpret construction documents and specifications related to surface preparation and finishing systems.
3. Prepare substrates and finishing materials in accordance with industry standards and manufacturer requirements.
4. Perform tile and terrazzo finishing procedures including grouting, cleaning, grinding, polishing, sealing and surface protection.
5. Evaluate completed finishing installations for dimensional accuracy, surface quality and workmanship compliance.