Painter and Decorator Apprentice

Summary

Sykes and Son Ltd are looking to recruit 2 x Painting & Decorator Apprentice to join our Painting & Decorating business stream, which has experienced substantial growth and has exciting plans for future development.

Wage

Competitive

Competitive wage offered

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Training course

Painter and decorator (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday between 8am to 5pm Total hours per week: 40. You will be based at various sites, across London and will be using public transport.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 14 July 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

2

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

Work in compliance with Occupational Health, Safety and environmental requirements to ensure the health, safety and well-being of self and others at all times
Report in a timely manner any non-compliance
Carry out work confirming to all current and relevant building regulations, quality standards and work instructions
Work to the construction programme, adapting to changes in schedule and requirements where necessary
Prepare the work site including setting out the work and selecting materials, tools and equipment appropriate to the project
Use the appropriate tools and equipment to prepare substrates and apply decorative materials to industry standards
Carry out minor repairs or modifications to completed substrates/surfaces
Maintain a clear and safe work site at all times, disposing of waste appropriately and sustainably
Receive, unload, move, lift, and store materials to site for application following good handling practices to prevent injury or damage
Assist in erecting access equipment to enable safe access for working at height, in accordance with health & safety guidelines
Prepare area to be worked in protecting surfaces as necessary
Prepare and clean surfaces prior to painting & decoration
Apply primer, undercoat and finishing coats using a variety of brushes, rollers or spray equipment
Ensure work area is clean and tidy at all times
Maintain competence in the use of all tools required for general painting and decorating work
Prepare lists of materials required for painting and decorating work
Carry out other reasonable tasks to assist with the day-to-day running of the business
Maintain any required records of work carried out

Where you’ll work

Sykes House
7d Wakefield Street
London
WC1N 1PG

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

NEW CITY COLLEGE

Your training course

Painter and decorator (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

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.

Your training plan

Successful candidates will enrol onto:

Painter and Decorator Standard 2
Functional Skills at Level 1 in English and maths (if required)
Training schedule has yet to be agreed. Details will be made available at a later date

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience
Physical fitness
Excellent Timekeeping
High standard of work

Other requirements

Become a permanent member of staff.

About this company

Established in 1759, Sykes & Son Limited is the UK’s oldest independent building contractor. Trading for over 265 years, Sykes has evolved from a small specialist contractor – a glazier, plumber, decorator, and small builder – into a medium sized, multi-discipline contractor with an annual turnover of £50m. The company has three main workstreams: Building, Mechanical & Electrical and Maintenance. This diversity of self-delivered services allows us to offer a “one stop shop” solution to our clients. Furthermore, we have the flexibility to carry out minor works through to multi-million-pound projects. We are incredibly proud of the part that we have played in restoring, building, refurbishing, and maintaining our capital’s heritage over the years. From Royal Palaces to world renowned museums, galleries, and universities, we continue to forge long-term working relationships at London’s finest buildings. Whilst our heritage is a source of great pride, Sykes has continued to review working processes to ensure that up to date technology and systems are employed across the business. Our extensive list of long-term blue-chip clients is testimony to the core values that underpin the business – We Build Relationships; We Bring Expertise; We Are Professional; We Always Care To apply please send your CV, not exceeding 150-word cover letter - please ensure all previously grades are included in your CV for consideration to careers@sykes1759.co.uk. The CV must include existing qualifications/grades achieved in each subject.

https://www.sykesandsonltd.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Intermediate Level 2 (GCSE).

Further progression may well be available in other areas within our sector, upon successful completion.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: