Level 1 Diploma in Painting and Decorating 2025-26

The course is designed for those who are new to the construction sector and have an interest in painting and decorating. The course provides a basic introduction to decorating skills. The study programme consists of 4 hours per week of maths and English, 9 hours practical, 2 hours theory and, over the course of the year, 46 hours of work experience.

The following areas are covered in the course:

• Preparating Surfaces
• Painting Walls & Ceilings
• Applying Foundation and Plain Papers
• Standard Decorative Finishes
• Cost Calculations
• Erect & Dismantle of Access Equipment
• Employment in Construction
• Handle, Move & Storage of Resources
• Repair & Maintain Masonry
• Repair & Maintain Plasterwork
• Construction Community Project
• Level 1 Award in Health and Safety

• Commercial Painter and Decorator
• Commercial Spray Painter
• Domestic Painter and Decorator
• Education and Training
• Health and Safety
• Interior Designer
• Project Manager
• Set Designer for Film / Theatre

...and so much more!

Upon successful completion of the level 1 Diploma you may progress onto the Level 2 Diploma in Painting & Decorating

Minimum of GCSE grade 2 for Math and English. Learners coming on to this programme will be expected to carry out a skills test. Your attendance, behaviour and motivation will be monitored over the first 6 weeks to ensure you are suitable for this programme, failure to meet these expectations could jeopardise your place on the course.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

You will be assessed throughout the course, for each unit to be completed you must complete a practical skills test and a theory test.
Theory tests are completed online and the questions are externally set by CSkills.
Practical assessments are completed in the workshop upon completion of each unit.

September 2025

1 Year.
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday daytime.
This full time study programme courses may also be available to study on a part-time basis if you are aged 18 or over on 31st August. Please check with Student Services for more details.