BRIEF YEARLY OVERVIEW 2015:

The ATC NSW Division conducts business independently, but as per the Australian Tile Councils Constitution, which includes the Executive officers and general members that are democratically elected each year.

As a Not-For-Profit Council; within the State of NSW, an Annual Summary of Financial affairs must be provided reporting to the Department Of Fair Trading New South Wales. The ATC NSW Annual Summary of Financial affairs is audited by an Accredited Auditor and presented to the Office of Fair Trading NSW. Those financial reports are also presented to the elected ATC NSW executive & general committee members.

The ATC NSW is the legitimate Tile Industry representative for the State of NSW. It is subject to, and complies with the NSW State Jurisdiction, legislation and Standards. However the ATC NSW complies with both the ATC Constitution and the Code of Ethics.

The ATC conducted, 11 general meetings, and a number of sub-committee meetings along with many executive e-mails and phone calls.

The ATC, continues to provide the opportunity to assist and provide information to the consumer and others by way of the ATC NSW website. Details are provided to contact the ATC NSW office, either by e-mail or direct phone contact.

The ATC NSW has as part of its agenda, “To provide the opportunity, to raise the skill level for all those working within the tiling Industry and in doing so recognise and promotes all those that undertake upskilling via specific training events on an annual basis”.

To achieve this outcome, the ATC NSW has developed an Accreditation Scheme, for NSW retail Outlets (Draft document) & for Wall & Floor Tilers.

Members of the ATC NSW are representing, conducting and participating within a range of specific working committees
Such as:

International Standards Organisation (ISO):
Australian Standards Committees, namely,
BD 044 & BD-094 and the present review of aged Tiling Standard, 3958.1 & 2--2007.
Within ongoing Co-operative discussions on the development of the Australian Tile Council Tiling Guide manual.

Attending the Australian Tile AGM/Conference Brisbane 2015, participating in 4 ATC National Teleconferences including e-mail interaction.

ATC NSW Industry Training Units with TREND MOSAICS-Randwick TAFE NSW.
ARDEX AUSTRALIA Training Centre of Excellence; Retail tile Outlets Training course.

Further

Continued, support for the NSW TAFE tiling Sections by the way of goods and materials and importantly, technical knowledge, generously provided by the ATC NSW members.
Obtaining new Specific Business Insurance policy now with GIO at a significant saving and appropriate coverage.

Progressing an initiative for a Specific Insurance policy for wall and floor tilers.
A Sub-committee to maintain an increasing upward trend of membership for the ATC NSW, around 50 members & an extensive network of many more.

ARDEX AUSTRALIA & ATC NSW RETAIL TILE SHOP TRAINING UNIT

The ATC NSW sincerely thank Ardex Australia Training Academy for working with ATC NSW to initiate a retail tile shop Training Unit, with the first 5 ATC NSW members attending & graduating.
Regional members and those that live at distance (courtesy of Ardex Australia) were provided with one night’s accommodation at no cost and also included at no cost; morning tea, lunch & afternoon tea for each day & an attendee’s dinner.

Administration & registration was arranged by the ATC NSW.

ATC (NSW)--TREND AUSTRALASIA--TAFE--TRAINING UNIT

TOPIC: THE NEW PLUS BACKING SYSTEM & FILM/PAPER FACED MOSAICS

The ATC NSW sincerely thanks, Trend Australasia & Randwick TAFE Tiling section, for providing facilities, tiles and adhesives in conducting the Mosaic tiling Training Unit and working with ATC NSW to commence this Mosaic tile unit of training, with 15 attendees all graduating.

ATC NSW --- Sydney Institute & South Western Institute of TAFE NSW

The Australian Tile Council NSW Division, has advised NSW TAFE Wall and Floor tiling sections that it is most willing to support, assist/broaden ways in which young and mature entrants can undertake new training initiatives to increase the number of tiler enrolments such as Certificate II Pre-Vocational courses & Certificate III courses.

THE NEED FOR WALL AND FLOOR TILERS

(NSW) annually imports in excess of 12 million square metres of ceramic tiles and approximately, a further 2 million square meters of ceramic tiles, are manufactured locally within the State of NSW.
It is critical that the uptake of new entrants with the TAFE tiling courses continue in order to maintain a high level of competent wall and floor tilers to undertake tiling work within the State of NSW

Presently, there is a critical shortage of skilled wall and floor tilers and numerous employers are looking to engage apprentices and others to work within the tiling Industry.

Unfortunately insufficient young people and mature aged students are available to fulfil those vacant positions and as such a commercial negative outcome for the wall and floor tiling industry NSW.

The uptake of apprentices remains a high priority for the ATC NSW, to ensure that a strong and sustainable NSW TAFE Wall and Floor tiling sections remain. (Now with over 60 years of tiler training for apprenticeship and mature age Students).

Pre-Vocational, Part-Qualification courses, mature age training and upskilling courses will help boost not only numbers within the tiling industry but also to the TAFE wall & floor tiling section.
The ATC NSW is able to assist with onsite work experience programs and tiles, adhesives, grouts and technical support to reduce any budgetary restraints that may exist in conducting any of the abovementioned courses.

WALL & FLOOR TILING & WATERPROOFING BEFORE TILING INSURANCE POLICY

The ATC NSW general and executive committee members support in principle the concept of an occupation specific Insurance pack for wall and floor tilers across Australia.

Presently the ATC NSW is working with Windsor Management Brokers to develop an Insurance pack that would be specific for wall and floor Tilers.

The ATC NSW encourages Tilers to take up appropriate Insurance and it should be noted, the ATC NSW works to achieve excellence with tiling works, not to support Faulty Workmanship.
A more specific insurance than the general insurance is required, with specific inclusions for the tiling industry that is apart from other industries and therefore contributing to a better uptake as it is tailored to address the wall and floor Tilers specific industry needs.

CONCLUSION AND COMMENTS

The ATC NSW as a NFPO, voluntary body interacts with industry and the consumer on a wide range of matters such as: Tile retail outlet training, for tiles, tiling products, information on standards, slip ratings all with the intention to raise the skill level and in doing so the profile of the tiling industry.

I encourage the ATC NSW to continue their support and membership and to also encourage others to join the ATC NSW and simply lend a hand. A cohesive numerically strong base is essential to achieve such outcomes on a yearly basis.

In conclusion, I would like to thank all the NSW ATC Management Committee members and the executive Committee, particularly the honorary Vice President Garry Phillips, Julie Bulmer as Secretary, Fred Gray as Treasurer and the various Sub-Committee Members.

Significantly, a big Thank You to all the ATC NSW members, our valued Sponsors & Corporate Gold members for their continued generous support and time in ensuring the ATC NSW remains a credible working industry Council.

On behalf of ATC NSW, I thank all the ATC National Executive, for their good work, our valued National Sponsors and members for their generous support and time working with the ATC NSW to continue its positive outcomes within this industry Council.

LIFE MEMBERSHIP ATC NSW

It is with the greatest of pleasure that on behalf of the ATC NSW Life Membership committee to advise all that: Noel & Liz Glennon of Glennon tiles have been elevated to that of: Life Membership of the ATC NSW.

Noel and Liz are a family team servicing and contributing extensively (over 50 years) to the Australian Tiling Industry and the Australian Tile Council.

It should be noted that; Noel Glennon was also a founding member & President of the Australian Ceramic Tile Importers Association in 1979. (A prelude to the Australian Tile Council as it is today).

Sincerely,

Barry Bulmer
President
Australian Tile Council (NSW Division)

12th March 2016