K10 vacancies | apprenticeship opportunities in London

Job Description

Painters and decorators use a range of coverings to enhance and protect surfaces. These surfaces could include plaster, metal and wood. If you like practical work and enjoy being artistic, this could be a perfect career for you.

To be a painter and decorator, you should have good practical and creative skills. You will need to be able to work carefully and pay attention to detail. Sometimes you’ll need a good head for heights.

Your main tasks would include:

• measuring surface areas to work out how much paint or wall covering you need
• stripping off old wallpaper or paint
• filling holes and cracks and making sure surfaces are level
• preparing surfaces with primer and undercoat
• mixing paint to the right shade, either by hand or using computerised colour-matching equipment
• applying layers of paint and hanging wallpaper
• tidying up after finishing a job

On some jobs you might apply specialist finishes such as rag rolling, graining and marbling. You would often work from ladders or raised platforms to reach ceilings.

For industrial projects, you might remove old paintwork with abrasive blasting methods before applying new coatings using industrial paint spraying equipment.

Typical Working Week

You will work on site for four days per week and attend college for one day a week. Most site hours are Monday to Friday, 08.00-17.00.

Person Specification

• Punctual
• Positive attitude to work and colleagues
• Practical ability and awareness of working safely
• A good head for heights and sense of balance
• Self-motivation and desire to learn
• Is both resilient and committed
• Good co-ordination skills and a methodical approach
• Is always looking to improve
• Enjoys being a team player

Career Progression

On completion of NVQ L2 in painting & decorating you will gain your blue trade specific CSCS card which enables you to work as a qualified painter & decorator. With experience, you could progress to supervisor roles or move into related areas such as estimating and contract management. You could also take further training to specialise in restoration work. A popular option is to set up your own business and work on a sub-contract basis.

Key Training/College Information

K10 will enrol and fund your qualifications through a SFA funded training provider. It is likely to take 12-24months to complete this apprenticeship, depending on current qualifications and experience.

Qualifications required

Applicants need to have at least an Entry Level 3 in Functional Skills or GCSE grade D or above in English and Maths. (GCSE’s valid within last 5 years)

Desirable

The passion and commitment to become a fully qualified painter & decorator. It would be advantageous if you have already completed technical certificates in painting & decorating or multi-skills, have previous related work experience, CSCS and/or PASMA, but this is certainly not essential.