Construction Craft: Painting and Decorating
Vocational • Level 2
Construction Craft: Painting and Decorating
Vocational • Level 2Type of LearningSchool Leaver
Course CodeA2317
Study ModeFull Time
Duration1 year
Cost
Free
Awarded ByCity and Guilds
Location Burnley College
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About the course
The Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating is a practical, employer aligned programme that builds professional speed, accuracy, and finish quality for real site and domestic work.
You will learn thorough surface preparation including cleaning, stripping, filling, sanding, and priming; hand painting and rolling with confident cutting in, laying off, and defect prevention; wallpapering techniques such as setting out, pasting, pattern matching, and working around corners, doors, windows, and ceilings; and decorative finishes including ragging, dragging, stencilling, glazing, broken colour, and feature walls. Where available, you will train in spray application, learning setup, masking, overspray control, and maintenance.
The course strengthens product knowledge across primers, undercoats, emulsions, water based and oil systems, wood, metal, and masonry finishes, alongside safe use of access equipment, workspace protection, and planning skills in measuring, estimating, method statements, risk assessments, and quality checks.
Training takes place in well equipped workshops that mirror live environments, with industry experienced tutors guiding structured projects. Assessment blends online knowledge tests, observed practical tasks, and a synoptic assignment where you plan, set out, and complete a multi surface decorating project to specification.
On completion, you can progress to a Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship , or step into employment with contractors, maintenance teams, heritage projects, or specialist finishing firms.
Type of LearningSchool Leaver
Course CodeA2317
Study ModeFull Time
Duration1 year
CostFree
Awarded ByCity and Guilds
Location Burnley College
Start Date/s
02/09/2026
Entry Requirements
4 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, or a relevant Level 1 qualification
Modules
Course Modules
Health, Safety and Welfare in Construction
Covers essential health and safety practices, site responsibilities, hazard control, and welfare requirements to ensure safe working conditions.
Principles of Building Construction, Information and Communication
Introduces construction methods, terminology, drawings, specifications, and the importance of effective communication in the workplace.
Preparing Surfaces for Decoration
Focuses on preparing a variety of surfaces to a professional standard, including cleaning, sanding, filling, and priming ready for decorative finishes.
Applying Paint Systems by Brush and Roller to Complex Areas
Develops skills in applying paint systems to different surfaces and complex areas, ensuring accuracy, coverage, and quality of finish.
Applying Standard Papers to Walls and Ceilings
Provides practical experience in preparing, cutting, and applying wallcoverings and standard papers to walls and ceilings.
Producing Specialist Finishes for Decorative Work
Covers a range of decorative techniques such as stencilling, rag rolling, and sponging, enhancing creativity and finish quality.
Erecting and Dismantling Access Equipment and Working Platforms
Introduces safe methods for setting up, using, and dismantling access equipment and working platforms in line with regulations.
Creating and Applying Colour
Explores colour theory, mixing, and application to achieve desired decorative effects and finishes.
Assessment
Observed practical tasks: You plan, prepare, and finish surfaces to drawings and specification, demonstrating safe working, protection of areas, and quality to commercial tolerances.
Online or written knowledge tests: Health and safety, coatings and substrates, tools and equipment, preparation methods, wallpapering, and decorative finishes.
Synoptic practical assignment: A timed, multi surface decorating project requiring sequencing, accurate cutting in and laying off, pattern matching, and defect free finishing to deadline.
Portfolio of evidence: Photographs, method statements, risk assessments, product data references, quantities and estimates, and quality checklists mapped to unit outcomes.
Professional discussion and questioning: To confirm understanding, decision making, and rationale for product and method selection.
Ongoing skills reviews: Regular feedback on productivity, cleanliness, tool care, access equipment use, and adherence to health, safety, and environmental requirements.
Careers & Progression
The Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating leads to employment or further training. Typical next steps include a Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship and working toward an NVQ through on site assessment to support industry card applications, subject to scheme rules. Entry roles include painter and decorator, decorating improver, maintenance operative, housing or facilities painter, shopfitting or fit out painter, heritage assistant, spray operative, and specialist paper hanger.
Additional Details
Equipment Needed
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Safety boots and workwear which must be durable trousers and long-sleeve layers.
Equipment Supplied
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Safety glasses, High-viz jackets, hard hats, dust mask/respirator, core hand tools, portable power tools and consumables.
Enrichment Activities
You will have the opportunity to be entered for the national competition Skillbuild. Success may lead to entry into international competition at Worldskills. You will have the opportunity to visit a wide range of manufacturing and industry sites to see the development and use of state of the art equipment and materials.
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Have a question? Get in touch!
Or call us on 01282 733373
