You could take a college course like:

• Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Painting and Decorating
• T Level in On Site Construction

This will teach you some of the skills you'll need and help you to find a job as a trainee with a decorating company.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

You could apply to do a Painter and Decorator Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or a Craft Painter and Decorator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

These usually take 2 to 3 years to complete and are a mix of learning on the job and time spent with a training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

You could work as a painter and decorator's labourer or 'mate'. Your employer may give you the chance to take further training on the job to become a qualified painter and decorator.

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• customer service skills
• knowledge of public safety and security
• business management skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll need to:

• be able to cope with working at height

As a painter and decorator, you could:

• work out the amount of paint or wall covering needed for a job
• lay down dust sheets and prepare materials
• strip off old wallpaper or layers of paint
• fill holes and cracks and make sure surfaces are level
• cover surfaces with primer and undercoat
• mix paint to the right shade, often using computerised colour-matching equipment
• apply coats of paint or hang wallpaper
• add special finishes like stains, varnishes or marbling
• tidy up after finishing, and clean your tools

You could work at a client's home or at a client's business.

Your working environment may be at height.

You may need to wear protective clothing.