How to Become a Qualified Painter and Decorator
Justin Burrell
Painter and Decorator
How did you get into painting and decorating?
"I wasn't doing all too well at school and my parents were in the process of getting the inside of their house painted. They approached the painters who were doing it and asked if they would take on an apprentice and they agreed. I've been a painter ever since."
What do you enjoy most about your work?
"The variety. Every job, whether it be interior or exterior, is different. I like that aspect of it the most."
What do you find most challenging about your work?
"As a foreman the thing I find a little difficult is managing the different painters in our group. They all have different skill levels and I need to be able to identify what they can and can't do, and give them tasks that reflect their level of ability. It can be an ongoing thing as we move our painters around quite a bit."
What advice would you give someone interested in becoming a painter and decorator?
"Do a pre-trade course to give you a good foot in the door. Once you've done that, try and get an apprenticeship because doing an apprenticeship is a key factor in upskilling.
"It's also important to persevere. I've been painting for 25 years and I'm still learning new stuff. It's a hard job but if you enjoy it then you're probably going to be good at it – so just keep hanging in there and work hard at it."
Painter and decorator video
Find out about a career in painting and decorating – 1.27 mins. (Video courtesy of the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation)
Narrator: Painters and decorators add the final finish to interiors and exteriors of residential, industrial and commercial buildings. Their work serves as both protection and decoration.
A painting apprenticeship takes around three years to complete and in that time you'll learn a wide range of skills both on the job and off-site. You'll learn the basics of preparation, filling and sanding before getting into painting, cutting-in and rolling. As time progresses you can learn further skills and be able to guide customers on the best type of paint and finish to suit their requirements.
Good skills to have include being a good listener, an eye for detail and steady hands as well as good maths and English skills. This profession can suit people who enjoy art and design. It's rewarding work that is both inside and outside based.
Becoming qualified is a great way of providing assurance to your customers that you know what you're doing. Careers can progress into supervisor, quoting, working in design to running your own business. It's also a great qualification to be able to travel with.
If you've already been working in the trade for some time, or if you've been trained and worked professionally overseas, BCITO offers excellent opportunities to recognise your skills and get qualified. Being qualified provides assurance that you know what you're doing and the painting is done to a professional standard.
Check if you're eligible. Getting qualified could be fees-free.
How to Become a Qualified Painter and Decorator
Source: https://www.careers.govt.nz/jobs-database/construction-and-infrastructure/construction/painter-and-decorator/how-to-enter-the-job
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