Craft painter and decorator
Level 3 · AdvancedConstruction and the built environment 1.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
The Craft Painter and Decorator apprenticeship trains you to prepare surfaces and apply paint, wallcoverings, and specialist finishes to interior and exterior surfaces in residential and commercial settings to a professional craft standard. You will develop skills in surface preparation, colour mixing, specialist decorative effects, and heritage restoration work. This Level 3 qualification represents the full craft standard and leads to careers as a skilled decorator, contractor, or in heritage and restoration work.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Surface preparation techniques for plaster, wood, metal, and masonry
Paint systems, product chemistry, and when to use each product type
Wallpaper hanging including lining, pattern matching, and specialist papers
Specialist decorative techniques such as graining, marbling, and gilding
Colour theory and how to match, mix, and tint paints accurately
Heritage and restoration decorating methods on historic buildings
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Prepare and fill surfaces by sanding, filling, and applying primer systems
Apply paint finishes by brush, roller, and spray to professional standard
Hang wallcoverings including pattern-matching and dealing with obstacles
Apply specialist finishes such as glazes, textured coatings, and metallic effects
Work safely at height from ladders, scaffolds, and mobile towers
Select and mix colours to specification or match existing decorative schemes
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
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What it’s really like
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