Painter and Decorator Apprentice
WESTCOUNTRY MAINTENANCE SERVICES LTD
Redruth (TR15 3RH)
Closes in 20 days (Wednesday 5 August 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 16 July 2026
Contents
Summary
Are you looking to start a rewarding career in painting and decorating? Westcountry Maintenance Services (WMS) is offering an exciting opportunity for a Painting Apprentice to join our painting teams across Cornwall, working on projects for both WMS and Williams & Martin.
- Wage
-
Competitive
Competitive wage offered
- Training course
- Painter and decorator (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
2 years
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Painting Apprentice – Key Duties & Responsibilities:
- Report to Painting Manager
- Assist qualified painters and decorators with all aspects of painting and decorating works
- Prepare surfaces by sanding, filling, cleaning, stripping, and priming before decoration
- Apply paint, varnishes, stains, and other decorative finishes under supervision
- Assist with wallpaper hanging and other decorative applications.
- Learn how to use and maintain painting tools, equipment, and materials correctly
- Measure work areas and calculate material requirements as instructed
- Protect furniture, fixtures, flooring, and surrounding areas before work begins
- Erect and dismantle ladders and access equipment safely, following company procedures
- Maintain a clean, tidy, and safe working environment at all times.
- Follow all company Health & Safety policies and wear appropriate PPE
- Attend apprenticeship training sessions, college courses, and complete all required coursework
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, supervisors, subcontractors, and customers
- Carry out work to the required quality standards and company specifications
- Report defects, hazards, accidents, or safety concerns to the supervisor
- Develop knowledge of painting and decorating techniques, products, and industry best practices
- Demonstrate a positive attitude, willingness to learn, and commitment to personal development
Where you'll work
Unit 13
Pool Industrial Estate, Pool
Redruth
TR15 3RH
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
TRURO AND PENWITH COLLEGE
Training course
Painter and decorator (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Comply with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Select and use personal protective equipment (PPE), respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and dust suppression.
- Check and safely use working at height equipment for example steps, hop-ups, and podiums.
- Identify hazards and comply with risk assessments, method statements, control measures and safe systems of work and report to manager when required.
- Read and interpret information for example from drawings, specifications, work instructions, manufacturer’s safety data sheets and manufacturer’s information such as colour charts and notations.
- Ensure materials are used efficiently and sustainably including suitable disposal of waste.
- Prepare work area: remove and store furnishings, fixtures and equipment and reinstate.
- Protect and prepare a safe working area, surrounding surfaces and environment.
- Select and use hand tools and equipment.
- Maintain and store hand tools.
- Select, use, maintain and store power tools.
- Prepare internal and external untreated surfaces ready to receive finishing systems for example: trowelled finishes plaster or render, plasterboard, timber and timber sheet materials; metals (ferrous and non-ferrous).
- Prepare internal previously coated surfaces ready to receive finishing systems for example trowelled finishes plaster or render, plasterboard, timber and timber sheet materials.
- Prepare external previously coated surfaces ready to receive finishing systems for example trowelled finishes plaster or render, timber and timber sheet materials; metals (ferrous and non-ferrous).
- Prepare and apply surface coatings to untreated external surfaces for example brick, stone, render, wood, metal using a brush and roller.
- Apply solvent borne and water borne coating systems using brush and roller to ceilings, walls, linear work (skirting board and architrave) doors: flush and panelled and opening windows.
- Prepare and apply foundation paper: Cross lining around socket and switches, internal and external angles.
- Prepare and apply Wallcoverings: Free match or random match finishing papers, vertical hanging, around socket and switches, internal and external angle.
- Carry out minor repair for example third party damage or post application defect.
- Apply team working principles.
- Verbally communicate with others, applying construction terminology.
- Communicate in writing with others for example, internal and external customers, colleagues.
- Follow equity, diversity and inclusion guidance.
- Comply with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Select and use personal protective equipment (PPE), respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and dust suppression.
- Check and safely use working at height equipment for example steps, hop-ups, and podiums.
- Identify hazards and comply with risk assessments, method statements, control measures and safe systems of work and report to manager when required.
- Read and interpret information for example from drawings, specifications, work instructions, manufacturer’s safety data sheets and manufacturer’s information such as colour charts and notations.
- Ensure materials are used efficiently and sustainably including suitable disposal of waste.
- Prepare work area: remove and store furnishings, fixtures and equipment and reinstate.
- Protect and prepare a safe working area, surrounding surfaces and environment.
- Select and use hand tools and equipment.
- Maintain and store hand tools.
- Select, use, maintain and store power tools.
- Prepare internal and external untreated surfaces ready to receive finishing systems for example: trowelled finishes plaster or render, plasterboard, timber and timber sheet materials; metals (ferrous and non-ferrous).
- Prepare internal previously coated surfaces ready to receive finishing systems for example trowelled finishes plaster or render, plasterboard, timber and timber sheet materials.
- Prepare external previously coated surfaces ready to receive finishing systems for example trowelled finishes plaster or render, timber and timber sheet materials; metals (ferrous and non-ferrous).
- Prepare and apply surface coatings to untreated external surfaces for example brick, stone, render, wood, metal using a brush and roller.
- Apply solvent borne and water borne coating systems using brush and roller to ceilings, walls, linear work (skirting board and architrave) doors: flush and panelled and opening windows.
- Prepare and apply foundation paper: Cross lining around socket and switches, internal and external angles.
- Prepare and apply Wallcoverings: Free match or random match finishing papers, vertical hanging, around socket and switches, internal and external angle.
- Carry out minor repair for example third party damage or post application defect.
- Apply team working principles.
- Verbally communicate with others, applying construction terminology.
- Communicate in writing with others for example, internal and external customers, colleagues.
- Follow equity, diversity and inclusion guidance.
Training schedule
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Basic decorating experience
- Safely use hand tools
- Time management
- Work independently
Other requirements
- Basic understanding of health and safety practices
- Ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team
- Good practical and hands-on skills
- Willingness to learn and undertake training
- Reliable attendance and punctuality
- Right to work in the UK
About this employer
With an annual turnover of approximately £30 million, WMS delivers a diverse range of services across the region. As a recognised Principal Contractor, the company successfully delivers construction and refurbishment projects valued at up to £3 million, alongside market-leading responsive maintenance, minor works, out-of-hours services, and an established painting and decorating provision. WMS is trusted by the majority of Housing Associations and Local Authorities throughout the South West.
Through Williams & Martin, WMS also provides specialist painting and decorating services for the new-build housing and commercial development sectors, delivering high-quality finishes and professional project delivery for developers, contractors, and commercial clients across the region.
Operating from four strategically located offices in Bideford, Chudleigh, Redruth, and Yeovil, WMS continues to achieve sustainable year-on-year growth. The company remains committed to supporting local communities by prioritising the recruitment and development of people from the areas it serves, creating employment opportunities and investing in local talent throughout the South West.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
If you are reliable, motivated, eager to learn, and looking to earn while gaining a recognised qualification, this apprenticeship offers an excellent foundation for a long-term career in the construction and property maintenance industry.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
TRURO AND PENWITH COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000042879.
Apply now
Closes in 20 days (Wednesday 5 August 2026 at 11:59pm)