Painter and decorator
Decorate and protect walls, ceilings and other surfaces to create pleasant places that people will enjoy.
About the job
What it's like
Add a splash of creativity to your career and become a painter and decorator! You'll work with a range of surfaces like plaster, metal and wood. The end result is lovely spaces for people to live and work in.
As a painter and decorator, you'll work on all sorts of projects! You could redecorate a bedroom, or work with a team to paint a huge bridge.
When working in a home, you'll use paint, varnishes and wallpaper to decorate rooms. You'll follow instructions about colours, textures and wallpaper patterns.
Your tasks might include:
measuring areas to work out how much paint or wall covering you need
stripping off old wallpaper or paint
filling holes and cracks to make sure surfaces are level before you start decorating
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
For industrial projects, such as bridges or ships, you'll remove old paintwork with abrasive blasting methods. You'll then use industrial paint-spraying equipment to apply new coatings.
Hours
You'll work Monday to Friday and you may take on extra hours to meet deadlines.
Environment
You'll mostly work indoors as you decorate homes and businesses.
Sometimes, you'll also need to work on outdoor structures.
You'll often use ladders or raised platforms to reach ceilings.
For industrial projects, you'll use a cradle or safety harness.
Paints and solvents give off fumes, so you'll wear a protective mask or use fume-extraction equipment on certain jobs.
Travel
You'll be expected to travel between sites.
For some jobs, you may need to spend a night away from home.
You'll usually transport your equipment in a van.
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Construction and built environment
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- time management
- developing a plan
- attention to detail
- observation
- creative
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Art and Design
Practical Craft Skills
Skills for Work: Construction Craft
Most painters and decorators start their career through a Modern Apprenticeship, but you can also go to college.
Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in Construction: Building.
Discover Modern Apprenticeships on Apprenticeships.scot.
Work
You can start off as a painter and decorator's labourer or 'mate'. An employer may give you the chance to do official training on the job.
Once you've completed this training, you'll become a fully qualified painter and decorator.
Remember, all painters and decorators must register with the Scottish Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship Council (SPADAC) or the Scottish Building Apprenticeship Training Council (SBATC).
It's useful to get qualifications that show you understand the industry and have strong practical skills. For example, you could study Skills for Work Construction Crafts at SCQF Level 4 or 5.
Getting work experience in a relevant role can help you build the skills and experience you’ll need to become a painter and decorator. Search for opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
A Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent safety passport.
Painters and decorators must pass a health and safety test to train or work on construction sites.
For some jobs, you may need to have a full UK driving licence to travel to sites.
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