Peterlee Campus
Qualification
Course overview
Think a career in the construction industry might be for you? Painting and Decorating is a fantastic career option with loads of opportunities available in our area, and EDC is here to help you develop the practical tool skills and basic knowledge you’ll need to take steps towards your future career in bricklaying!
For your practical sessions, you’ll be situated in EDC’s huge Painting & Decorating workshop. This specialist area is found on the first floor of our Peterlee campus, and has loads of space for you to work in alongside other students.
The painting and decorating workshop has a range of paints and materials for you to use, and our specialist lecturer – who has years of experience in the construction industry – will teach you everything you need to know all the way from preparing surfaces, to painting full rooms and wallpapering.
Also incorporated into the study programme will be functional skills (maths & English), tutorial, work experience, academic tutorial and relevant trips & guest visits.
Topics
The following areas are covered in the course:
- Construction Health & Safety
- The Construction Industry
- Preparing Surfaces
- Painting Walls & Ceilings
- Applying Foundation and Plain Papers
- Standard Decorative Finishes
- Cost Calculations
- Erect & Dismantle of Access Equipment
- Employment in Construction
- Repair & Maintain Masonry
- Repair & Maintain Plasterwork
- Personal Skills
- Personal Wellbeing
- Environmental Awareness
- Construction Community Project
Job opportunities after this course
- 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!
Further study options after this course
Upon successful completion of the level 1 Diploma you may progress onto Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry for Painting & Decorating, alongside demonstration of programme-ready attendance, behaviours and attitudes.
The student must have achieved a minimum of Entry 3 Maths and English in the previous year with continual and satisfactory attendance in English, maths, tutorial and work experience where relevant.
Entry requirements
For the latest qualifications and grades required by course time and level, view our current entry criteria for direct entry and internal progression.
How is this course assessed?
You will be assessed throughout the course, for each unit to be completed you must complete a practical skills test and a theory questions. There are 2 online exams part of the programme.
Practical assessments are completed in the workshop upon completion of each unit.
When does the course start?
September 2026
Length of course
11 hours per week
Fees & Funding
Please read our Course Fees & Funding page.
How to apply
To apply online for this course, please click on the 'Apply' link at the top/bottom of this page.
Alternatively, if you need assistance with your application or you would like to apply over the phone or using a paper-based application form, please call Student Services on 0191 518 8222.
If you're not quite ready to apply for this course and would like some more information or to speak to a member of staff then please click on the 'Enquire' link at the top/bottom of this page.
