The Job and What's Involved

Painters and decorators:

• prepare various surfaces such as new and old plasterwork, woodwork and metal by washing, removing old paper and paint, with a scraper, blowlamp or abrasive.
• fill old cracks and holes.
• apply coats of paint by brush, roller or spray gun.
• measure, trim, cut and hang various types of wall covering in fabric and paper.
• apply textured finishes to walls and ceilings using a comb or sponge to create different patterns.

Some painters and decorators specialise in sign writing or decorative effects.

Education and Training

A good standard of English and Maths is very important and additional qualifications will help the applicant's progress. Training is available under the Jobskills training programme and applicants can undertake a Modern Apprenticeship while completing a Construction Craft Apprenticeship. Training is normally approved by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). Applicants are usually under 17. Details are advertised in the local press and further information is available from T&EA Job Centres. Selection for apprenticeships is through an aptitude test and interview.

Construction Skills Register

Applicants who are successfully selected onto a recognised apprenticeship training scheme are eligible for registration onto the Construction Skills Register (CSR). Once registered, apprentices are issued with a Registration Card. As the apprentices progress through NVQ level 2 and NVQ level 3, they can upgrade to a Skills Card and ultimately a Craft Card. This registration scheme recognises the apprentice's level of competence and helps raise standards of workmanship.

Training

Apprentice Training Programme

Stage 1. Full-time training at a training organisation with on-site work experience, working towards NVQ level 2.

Stage 2. Full-time employment, with off-the-job training and achievement of NVQ level 2.

Stage 3. Full-time employment, with off-the-job training and achievement of NVQ level 3 and the CSR Skills/Craft Card.

During the training period the apprentices will be tested, assessed and monitored. Assessments are of a practical nature with job knowledge (theory) built in. The National Record of Achievement (NRA) is used by the apprentice to record all the training and experience and attainment of standards during the training period. At the end of 78 weeks (approx.) an NVQ level 2 has usually been gained and after a further 78 weeks (approx.) apprentices should have attained NVQ level 3 which is essential for recognition of craftsperson status. While with the Training Organisation the apprentice will receive a training allowance and when with the employer an apprentice should receive a wage at rates laid down by the Joint Council for the Building and Civil Engineering Industry (NI).

Personal Qualities

Painters/Decorators must:

• have good health and normal colour vision.
• not be afraid of climbing or working at heights.
• be willing to work as part of a team and prepared to work away from home at times.

Prospects

Some of the large building contractors employed their own skilled and apprentice painters, but generally the work is sub-contracted out to painting firms. These range from small, one-man businesses to moderately large firms. Smaller firms generally take on work such as repainting and decorating private domestic dwellings and small sites while bigger firms take on larger contracts such as schools, hospitals and office blocks. Some large organisations employ their own maintenance painters. In the painting and decorating trade, there are some prospects of promotion to responsible positions such as charge hand, and those with suitable qualifications may become teachers in Further Education Colleges or Instructors at Training Centres. Many set up in business on their own.

Get Further Information

Construction Industry Training Board, Nutts Corner Training Centre, 17 Dundrod Road, Crumlin, County Antrim, BT29 4SR  Tel: (028) 9082 4203/9082 5466
Website: www.citbni.org.uk

Construction Employers Federation Ltd., 143 Malone Road, Belfast BT9 6SU
Tel: (028) 9087 7143  Website: www.cefni.co.uk

 

Careers information and vocational qualifications change rapidly. The information in this career note was accurate at the time of going to print, but readers should check it with professional bodies or careers advisers before making decisions.