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Apprentice painters and decorators can work on a range of projects including new builds, private and commercial properties and even heritage and listed buildings.

If you are looking to employ an apprentice painter and decorator, we will train them on a block release basis at our brand new construction centre in Basford as well as supporting them in the workplace.

Key information

Key information about this apprenticeship programme, with the main details like the level, duration and industry/sector. Full details about this standard can be found on the Skills England website.

  • Level: 2 (Intermediate)
  • Duration: 27 months
  • Training location: Basford
  • Mode of Attendance: Block release
  • Industry/sector: Construction and the built environment
  • Maximum funding available: £10,000.00
View more about this programme (opens in a new window/tab)

Apprenticeship overview

Working in domestic and commercial properties and undertaking the decoration and protection of buildings.

The key skills, knowledge, behaviours and duties that will be carried out by the apprentice as part of this apprenticeship.

  • Comply with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Select and use personal protective equipment (PPE), respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and dust suppression.
  • Check and safely use working at height equipment for example steps, hop-ups, and podiums.
  • Identify hazards and comply with risk assessments, method statements, control measures and safe systems of work and report to manager when required.
  • Read and interpret information for example from drawings, specifications, work instructions, manufacturer’s safety data sheets and manufacturer’s information such as colour charts and notations.
  • Ensure materials are used efficiently and sustainably including suitable disposal of waste.
  • Prepare work area: remove and store furnishings, fixtures and equipment and reinstate.
  • Protect and prepare a safe working area, surrounding surfaces and environment.
  • Select and use hand tools and equipment.
  • Maintain and store hand tools.
  • Select, use, maintain and store power tools.
  • Prepare internal and external untreated surfaces ready to receive finishing systems for example: trowelled finishes plaster or render, plasterboard, timber and timber sheet materials; metals (ferrous and non-ferrous).
  • Prepare internal previously coated surfaces ready to receive finishing systems for example trowelled finishes plaster or render, plasterboard, timber and timber sheet materials.
  • Prepare external previously coated surfaces ready to receive finishing systems for example trowelled finishes plaster or render, timber and timber sheet materials; metals (ferrous and non-ferrous).
  • Prepare and apply surface coatings to untreated external surfaces for example brick, stone, render, wood, metal using a brush and roller.
  • Apply solvent borne and water borne coating systems using brush and roller to ceilings, walls, linear work (skirting board and architrave) doors: flush and panelled and opening windows.
  • Prepare and apply foundation paper: Cross lining around socket and switches, internal and external angles.
  • Prepare and apply Wallcoverings: Free match or random match finishing papers, vertical hanging, around socket and switches, internal and external angle.
  • Carry out minor repair for example third party damage or post application defect.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Verbally communicate with others, applying construction terminology.
  • Communicate in writing with others for example, internal and external customers, colleagues.
  • Follow equity, diversity and inclusion guidance.

Further information

  • Painter
  • Painter and decorator

This occupation is found in both the new build and refurbishment sectors of the construction industry. Projects vary in size, scale, and duration, ranging from the painting of a wall, refurbishment of a room to new build housing and large-scale commercial projects such as office blocks, hospitals and retail developments. Employers and contractors of painters and decorators vary in size from small, local family painting and decorating companies to major home builders and commercial contractors. Painters and decorators sometimes choose to specialise in certain types of projects and go on to become masters in their field. Examples include work on heritage and listed buildings, new build homes or commercial works. There is growing demand for painters and decorators to help meet the need for new homes and preserve the condition of existing housing and structures

The broad purpose of the occupation is to operate in domestic and commercial properties and undertake the decoration and protection of buildings. Properties include houses, schools, offices, hospitals, factories and construction sites. Working internally or externally they work individually and/or as part of a team applying water-borne and/or solvent borne coatings and wallcoverings. They have good knowledge of paint coatings and wallcoverings and understand and comply with statutory, safety and environmental requirements. They are responsible for their own work achieving a high quality finish at the appropriate pace. They are good problem solvers and communicators and are able to interact effectively with colleagues, clients and associated trades

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with their immediate team and the site management team, which could include a senior or craft painter and decorator providing advice and guidance. They would also often liaise with other construction trades such as site carpenters and plasterers who could work for their own organisation or another contractor. Site managers again could work for their own company or the main contractor. In the case of smaller projects such as house extensions, liaison with the client and neighbours would be expected.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for creating a high-quality finish which meets standards, specifications and design plans. They are expected to do this with due regard to all safety aspects involved with working on a construction site or domestic property, ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others at all times. With sustainable construction at the forefront of all projects, it is expected they would give consideration to the environment and sustainability of materials, waste awareness and recycling.

Painters and Decorators operate in domestic and commercial properties and undertake the decoration and protection of buildings. Properties include houses, schools, offices, hospitals factories and construction sites. Working internally or externally they work individually and/or as part of a team applying water-borne and/or solvent-borne paint coatings and wallcoverings. They have good knowledge of paint coatings and wallcoverings and understand and comply with statutory, safety and environmental requirements. They are responsible for their own work achieving a high quality finish at the appropriate pace. They are good problem solvers and communicators and are able to interact effectively with colleagues, clients and associated trades.

       Knowledge          Skill

Work methods
  • K1 The purpose of a range of equipment, tools and materials.
  • K2 The characteristics of materials and their reaction to atmospheric conditions.
  • K3 Safe and efficient methods of use, maintenance, movement, protection and storage of materials and equipment.
  • K4 Work hazards, safe working methods and appropriate safety requirements.
  • K5 How to work at height including the safe use of platforms, steps, ladders and scaffold.
  • S1 Prepare the work area safely providing dust sheets and protection to furniture and adjacent surfaces.
  • S2 Identify hazards and risks in the workplace ensuring a safe environment is maintained at all times.
  • S3 Select, use, maintain and store, paint, tools, wallcoverings, spray equipment, steps, ladders and towers safely.
  • S4 Follow and maintain work procedures and method statements.
  • S5 Make the most efficient and effective use of resources, time and materials.
  • S6 React correctly using the correct method of actions and reporting in the event of an accident or incident.

Identify and respond to customer needs
  • K6 The most appropriate products and use of colour in different settings.
  • K7 The company’s services.
  • K8 Methods of formal and informal communication.
  • K9 The uses of information technology in the workplace.
  • K10 Principles of costing, pricing and budgeting.
  • K11 Time, scheduling and costs associated with a project.
  • S7 Prepare for meetings and discussions by having appropriate paint specification and colour information.
  • S8 Use appropriate listening, and questioning, techniques.
  • S9 Use appropriate terminology when attending meetings.
  • S10 Work to allocated times and schedules for the project.

Construction Industry and Building Methods
  • K12 Key factors and systems of working in different sectors, such as occupied properties, health and education facilities where residents, patients and students may be present.
  • K13Key differences between modern and traditional construction methods.
  • S11 Identify different industry sectors such as new construction, social housing, residential, refurbishment, commercial and Heritage.
  • S12 Identify different building methods e.g. steel frame, reinforced concrete frame, traditional solid wall and cavity wall, block and dry lined which determine the appropriate paint products and specifications.

Product and specification Information
  • K14 Differences of each product type for example, water-borne, solvent borne and epoxy.
  • K15 Drying, curing and recoating times.
  • K16 The effect of colour in relation to good design and colour and contrast for people with impaired vision.
  • K17 The causes of common problems, how these can be prevented and how to correct them.
  • K18 Data sheets, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health sheets, method statements and risk assessments.
  • S13 Interpret specification documents and ensure correct preparation and systems are followed.
  • S14 Refer to manufacturers’ product information and data sheets to avoid errors.
  • S15 Advise clients about basic colour choices.
  • S16 Recommend appropriate products for differing scenarios and sectors.
  • S17 Identify and rectify common surface coating and wall covering problems.
  • S18 Interpret and use health and safety documents.

Preparation and Application and Removal
  • K19 Difference in systems for new and pre- decorated surfaces.
  • K20 Types of preparation methods including removal of previous coatings and wallcoverings using hand tools, power tools and chemicals.
  • K21 Traditional and modern methods of making good surfaces.
  • K22 Different systems for metals, wood, plastic and factory finishes.
  • K23 Techniques of application by brush, roller, pressure assisted roller and spray application.
  • K24 Specialist decorative techniques for example, graining, marbling and gilding.
  • K25 The skills of removal and application of wallcoverings.
  • S19 Identify substrates, hard wood, soft wood, ferrous and non- ferrous metal, factory finished etc.
  • S20 Prepare and strip surfaces using abrasives, chemical etchants, power sanders, heat and liquid methods.
  • S21 Understand and apply powder, two- pack, surfacers and resin fillers.
  • S22 Use different application methods brush, roller, spray, power-assisted rollers and special effect tools.
  • S23 Wallpaper using techniques for the hanging of lining paper, standard papers, digital print and wide width including (matching patterns, internal and external corners).


Behaviours

Painters and Decorators will be expected to demonstrate:

  • B1 Their responsibilities towards their own and others safety in the work place. 
  • B2 A strong work ethic, motivated, reliable and adaptable.
  • B3 Attention to detail, quality and continuous improvement. 
  • B4 An awareness of the businesses mission, aims, markets, products and services. 
  • B5 A customer focused attitude. 
  • B6 Effective communication in a team, with clients or with management. 

Duration: Typically 36 months. This timescale may reduce if an apprentice is part-qualified on entry.

English and Maths: Apprentices without Level 1 English and Maths will need to achieve this level and take the test for Level 2 English and Maths prior to taking the end point assessment.

Review Date: The standard will be reviewed in 3 years                                                

Level 2

Hire an apprentice today!

Are you interested in this apprenticeship for your business or company? Get in touch with our dedicated Business Development Manager for this industry/sector to find out more. Alternatively, you can fill out our employer interest form below and we'll get back to you.

Rebecca Powditch

Rebecca Powditch

Employer Partnerships Advisor

Call Rebecca Powditch on: 07971109856

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Information provided for this apprenticeship programme is sourced from the Skills England formerly the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE). For the information authored by Skills England, this was last modified on 16th October 2024.