Painting & Decorating Apprenticeships Fact Sheet

What does a Painter & Decorator do?

Work out the quantity of materials needed for the job by taking surface measurements or by looking at job specifications or drawings.

• Erect scaffolding, cradles, ladders and place drop sheets to protect areas from dripping.
• Remove old paint or paper by sanding and scraping.
• Select and prepare paints, stains, varnishes and other finishes.
• Spray paint surfaces using a spray gun or specialised equipment.
• Apply decorative paint finishes such as stencils, colour gazes, graining, marbling and lettering.
• Wash equipment and clean work areas.

What personal attributes might a successful Painter & Decorator have?

• Physically fit
• Able to work at heights
• Enjoy practical work
• Good hand to eye co‐ordination
• Normal colour vision
• Good sense of balance
• Able to work independently and as part of a team

How long does it take to complete a Painting & Decorating Apprenticeship?

Generally apprenticeships are a four‐year term with the apprentice attending of the job training at TAFE or another training provider for one day per week during the first three years.

How much does an Apprentice Painter & Decorator earn?

Whilst pay rates might vary depending on the actual work site, base weekly wage rates for an Apprentice Painter & Decorators in each year of the trade is based off the appropriate Modern Award or specific host EBA.

What is group training and how does it work?

Group Training Organisations such as Novaskill, employ apprentices and trainees in many occupations for the entire duration of their training period. We then lease these apprentices and trainees out to other local businesses. This means that apprentices often get the opportunity to work with different businesses over their four‐year training period, resulting in a broader range of skills and the development of strong industry contacts for employment as a tradesperson at the end of the training period.

How do I apply for employment with NovaSkill?

For more information on any of these qualfications, contact your local NovaSkill office on 1300 885 680.

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