Level 1 Construction Skills (Painting and Decorating) Course in Croydon. Classes run at John Ruskin College, full-time during the day. The course runs for 34 weeks and covers the core skills of the painting and decorating trade. You'll learn surface preparation, wallpaper hanging, and the application of oil and water-based paints. Health and safety and correct materials storage are also covered. Entry requirements are four GCSEs at grade 2 or above, including English and Maths, though the college considers applications on a case-by-case basis.
Who this course is for
16 or 16+
What you will learn
You'll prepare different types of surfaces ready for decoration.
You'll hang a range of wallpapers, including ingrain, vertical lining, and cross-lining.
You'll apply oil-based and water-based paints correctly.
You'll store materials safely and in line with industry practice.
You'll use access equipment safely in a workshop environment.
You'll follow health and safety procedures relevant to painting and decorating work.
How you will learn
You'll learn through hands-on practical work in college workshops, alongside classroom sessions. Assessment runs continuously throughout the course and takes several forms: practical tasks and observation, class tests, presentations, discussion seminars, written essays and reports, and leaflets or handbooks. This ongoing approach means you can develop and improve as you go, rather than relying on a single end-of-course exam.
What you will need to bring
You'll need to wear the college uniform and steel toe-capped boots whenever you're in the workshops. John Ruskin College will confirm any other requirements before you start. Please note there may be additional costs for equipment and educational visits.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Painter and decorator. How to become a painter and decorator often starts here.
Decorating labourer. Entry-level site support while you build experience.
Maintenance operative. General upkeep roles in housing or facilities.
Painting and decorating apprentice. Combine work and further training on the job.
What you could study next
This level 1 construction skills (painting and decorating) qualification is a stepping stone to further study in the trade.
Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating. The next step up, covering more complex techniques and preparing you for skilled trade work.
NVQ Level 2 in Painting and Decorating. A work-based route that can support your application for a CSCS skilled-worker card, which most construction sites require.
