ICIPaints.com Archive
Fancy a Career as a Painter and Decorator?
2007
As school leavers and university students head off to begin their careers, a national survey commissioned by Dulux Decorator Centres reveals that more than 40 per cent of 16-22-year-olds want to avoid the 9-5 routine in favour of flexible working hours.
And yet, only 1 per cent planned to work in a skilled manual job, including painting and decorating, as one of their options - despite the greater opportunity in the trades to determine working time, and to run their own business. However, when probed, 62% of respondents admitted that they were attracted by the flexible hours of being a painter and decorator, while half found working outside an office appealing.
Not surprisingly it was money (76%) and career prospects (68%) that were the key drivers for the respondents choice of career with more than a quarter thinking that the money in painting and decorating isn't good enough. However, in reality, the average salary in the industry is on a par with many trade and professional vocations.
Stephen Edwards, marketing manager, at Dulux Decorator Centres, comments: "We know that the number of new entrants into the trade is declining, and certainly not meeting the increasing demand of home owners looking for a quality painter and decorator. That's why we commissioned this research. While some of the results are of concern for the painting and decorating trade, it is encouraging to see that young people recognise that it offers many of the benefits they are looking for such as flexible working hours, the opportunity to work with creative people and financial rewards."
So, given all these advantages, why are so few young people considering a career in painting and decorating? Fifty per cent of youngsters thought it would be a waste of their academic qualifications, and the same number did not think it would be interesting enough to pursue as a long-term career option.
"They couldn't be further from the truth", according to Paul Allcock, who has run his own painting and decorating firm for 22 years: "Many people forget that painting and decorating can be a very profitable and varied career. If you set up your own business, it involves so much more than just painting ' you need to have good business sense, be a good negotiator and be able to sell yourself. The country's preoccupation with interiors and home décor has also meant that the job is so much more than just glossing woodwork and hanging wallpaper ' many now consult clients on colour, texture and the latest trends."
Young people willing to give painting and decorating a go can visit their local Dulux Decorator Centre to pick up a leaflet about starting a career in painting and decorating - or download it from the box on right of this page.
The company also encourages students to take up a career in the trade by providing them with great information packs which are distributed through the painting and decorating colleges it has strong relationships with, as well as offering professional insight and support to final year students. In addition, the DDC is promoting life-long learning and professional excellence by organising training courses, not only to new entrants, but practising painter and decorators wishing to learn and refresh their skills. Tradesmen interested in these, can visit their local store to find out more. More information can be seen online.
