Apprenticeship

SHAUN MATTHIAS LIMITED
SOUTH SHIELDS (NE34 0NU)
Closes in 16 days (Saturday 31 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 14 October 2026

Summary

You’ll learn surface preparation, paint and spray application, and wallpapering through 80% on-the-job site work. Off-the-job training will follow the time allocations outlined in the Occupational Standard, leading to a Level 2 qualification.

Why apply: You’ll earn a wage with zero tuition debt, master in-demand craft skills, and open pathways to self-employment or site management.

Wage
£15,808 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
[Minimum wage rates](opens in new tab)

Training course
Painter and decorator (level 2)
[Understanding apprenticeship levels](opens in new tab)

Hours
7.30am - 4pm. 38 hours a week

Start date
Sunday 1 November 2026

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

Morning
Site Setup & Safety:

• Arrive on-site, complete health & safety briefings, set up dust sheets, load equipment, and inspect ladders or scaffolding.

Surface Preparation:

• Sand down woodwork, fill cracks/holes in walls, scrape peeling paint, and apply primers or sealers.

Mixing & Masking:

• Tape off trim, floorboards, and sockets, then mix or thin paints according to technical specifications.

Core Decorating Work:

• Apply primer, undercoat, and topcoats using brushes, rollers, or spray equipment on walls, ceilings, and trim.

Wallcovering & Finishes:

• Measure, cut, paste, and hang wallpaper or apply specialist varnishes and stains.

End-of-Day Clean-Up:

• Clean brushes, rollers, and sprayers, store hazardous chemicals (COSHH compliant), dispose of waste safely, and log daily off-the-job training progress.

Where you'll work

UNIT 2A
102 THROCKLEY WAY
MIDDLEFIELDS INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
SOUTH SHIELDS
NE34 0NU

Training

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

Training provider
BARNARDO'S

What you'll learn

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.