Painting and decorating involves applying paint, varnish and other finishes to surfaces such as walls to protect, maintain and decorate buildings.
Painters should have an eye for colour and shape, as well as planning skills to ensure a job is completed efficiently.
They should also be expert in decorating techniques, both traditional and modern. One of the most recent, important tools to be developed in this sector is the spray gun, which is powered by a motor to pump paint out as a fine spray.
Health and safety is very important in this sector and painters should be knowledgeable of regulations and adhere to them.
Fast Facts
Mark Nevin won Gold in Painting and Decorating at WorldSkills Calgary 2009 and has since been promoted to a director at the age of just 24.
Source: WorldSkills, UK Alumni
Over 280 million litres of decorative paints and woodstains were sold in the UK alone in 2010 – enough to fill over 132 Olympic sized swimming pools and to cover over 46,000 Wembley sized football pitches!
Source: Crown Paints
Featured Competitor
Shareena Sloan
Nation: Australian
Competition: 2007
Skill: Painting and Decorating
Why did you decide to follow a vocational route?
I always knew I would take up a trade after school because I didn't want to be stuck in an office. I became interested in painting and decorating industry after work experience whilst I was at school. It's the best decision I've ever made!
Results
 Gold Medal |
 Silver Medal |
 Bronze Medal |
|---|---|---|
Renate LässerJesper Guld Nielsen |
Aku KorhonenCHIANG WU |