The recommended prerequisites for high school students include construction courses, shop courses, and multiple math courses. Knowledge of algebra, geometry and calculus are all applied to the tile laying process almost every day. Understanding fractions, using a measuring tape and being confident finding exact measurements are useful skills to experience before starting an apprenticeship.

Completion of high school classes do not count for hours in the apprenticeship program, but the experience and classes taken are valuable in building students’ skill sets.

A two-year diploma is not required to qualify for a tile apprenticeship.

Terrazzo Finisher:
A paid two-year apprenticeship program in which apprentices receive both on-the-job practical training and classroom instruction. The apprenticeship requires 4,000 hours of on-the-job training over the course of two years and 144 classroom-training hours each year.

Terrazzo Mechanic:
A paid two-year apprenticeship program in which apprentices receive both on-the-job practical training and classroom instruction. The apprenticeship requires 4,000 hours of on-the-job training over the course of two years and 144 classroom-training hours each year.

Being detail oriented and comfortable regularly applying math skills are important for a terrazzo apprentice’s success. Some arrangements can be highly detailed and artistic, so workers must ensure that the patterns are properly and accurately arranged. Basic math skills are used on every job. High school students preparing to become a terrazzo apprentice should seek out part-time jobs that require physical strength, applying math skills such as reading a tape measure, adding and subtracting fractions, and calculating area.

Military members applying for a terrazzo apprenticeship should reach out to John Slama, Manager of Operations for the MN/ND Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Apprentice Training Center. Veterans can also search job opportunities at www.helmetstohardhats.org.