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Level 2 Painting and Decorating Course at The Manchester College Openshaw Campus

CostYou can call our Course Enquiry Team on 03333 222 444 for details of the fees for this course.
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryClassroom based
Start7 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
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About this course

Free Level 2 Painting and Decorating Course in Manchester. Classes run at The Manchester College Openshaw Campus. This full-time, daytime painting and decorating course runs for one year and covers the practical skills you need to work in the trade. You'll learn how to prepare surfaces, apply paint systems, hang wallpaper, and produce specialist decorative finishes. The course also includes Functional Skills in English and maths. Assessment combines hands-on workshop tasks and written exams. City and Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating with certificate.

Who this course is for

If you’d like to follow a career path in the construction industry as a professional painter or decorator, then this Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating is the perfect place to begin, as you’ll develop a wide range of skills and knowledge specific to this sector.

As a vocational qualification, you’ll be taking part in lots of hand-on, practical sessions, covering topics such as how to erect and dismantle the appropriate access equipment and working platforms, how to prepare surfaces for decoration and how to apply paint systems by brush and roller. You’ll also look at the application of foundation and plain papers, the production of specialist decorative finishes and how to effectively apply and create colour.

The qualification is widely recognised in the construction industry and will set you on the path to a rewarding career as a painter or decorator. As well as learning essential skills for the trade, you’ll also get to develop your functional skills in English and maths.

What you will learn

  • You'll learn how to erect and dismantle access equipment and working platforms safely.
  • You'll practise preparing surfaces for decoration across a range of materials.
  • You'll apply paint systems using brush and roller techniques.
  • You'll work with foundation and plain papers, including hanging and trimming.
  • You'll produce specialist decorative finishes.
  • You'll learn how to apply and work with colour effectively.
  • You'll develop Functional Skills in English and maths alongside the trade content.
  • You'll build knowledge of health and safety and the principles of building construction.

How you will learn

Learning is practical and workshop-based. You'll complete hands-on assessments throughout the course, building up an individual portfolio of evidence. You'll also sit written exams covering health and safety, building principles, and trade knowledge. Work experience is part of the programme, and the centre will support you in finding a relevant placement.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. The Manchester College Openshaw Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Painter and decorator — how to become a painter and decorator working on residential and commercial sites.
  • Decorating operative — entry-level site work applying paint and wallcoverings.
  • Maintenance painter — keeping buildings and facilities in good decorative order.
  • Self-employed decorator — running your own painting and decorating business.
  • Shopfitter (decorating) — decorative finishing work in retail and commercial fit-outs.

What you could study next

  • Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Painting and Decorating — the next step for decorators aiming for a CSCS skilled-worker card and senior site roles.
  • Level 3 Award in Education and Training — if you want to teach painting and decorating in a college or training setting.
  • Apprenticeship in Painting and Decorating — combine on-the-job experience with further qualification while earning a wage.
Apply on tmc.ac.uk →
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