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Painter and Decorator

Kaipeita/Kaiwhakapaipai Whare

Painters and decorators apply decorative and protective finishes to interior and exterior walls, doors, windows and other surfaces of buildings.

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Secondary education

There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a painter and decorator. However, construction and mechanical technologies, maths, design and visual communication, and painting are useful.

Year 11 and 12 learners can find out more about the construction industry and gain relevant skills by doing a National Certificate in Building, Construction and Allied Trades (Levels 1 and 2) through the BConstructive programme.

For Year 11 to 13 learners, trades academies and the STAR and Gateway programmes are good ways to gain relevant experience and skills.

These programmes may help you gain an apprenticeship, but do not reduce the amount of time it takes to complete it.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Up to NCEA Level 3
  • Certificate

Useful experience

Useful experience for painters and decorators includes:

  • interior decorating
  • work as a sales assistant in a paint and wallpaper shop
  • work as a painter's assistant
  • any other work where you can demonstrate creativity.

What you will do

Painters and decorators may do some or all of the following:

  • work with customers on colour selection and finishes
  • calculate materials required for a job
  • erect scaffolding under five metres high (scaffolding over this height must be put up by a registered scaffolder)
  • fill holes, cracks and joins, and clean surfaces of dust and dirt
  • mix and match paint colours
  • cut and hang wallpaper, vinyl and backing paper
  • apply paint and decorative paint finishes such as glazing, graining, marbling and lettering.

Skills and knowledge

Painters and decorators need to have:

  • a good understanding of colour
  • knowledge of paints and wall coverings
  • skill in painting and decorating techniques
  • knowledge of health and safety precautions.

Painters and decorators who are self-employed also need business skills.

Pay

Experienced and qualified painters and decorators can earn

$53K-$76K

per year

Job opportunities
Good
Chances of getting work as a painter and decorator are good due to a shortage of workers.
Length of training
3
years of training usually required.

Industry

Construction

Painters and decorators apply decorative and protective finishes to interior and exterior walls, doors, windows and other surfaces of buildings.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

There are no specific requirements to become a painter and decorator.

However, you usually need to complete an apprenticeship and gain a National Certificate in Painting and Decorating (Level 4). The Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) oversees painting and decorating apprenticeships.

Chances of getting a job

Strong demand for painters and decorators

Chances of getting work as a painter and decorator are good due to:

  • regular redecoration by homeowners
  • steady growth in construction which is predicted to continue until at least 2023
  • a shortage in the number of people going into painting and decorating apprenticeships. 

The demand for painters and decorators can be affected by economic conditions. A downturn in the economy can lower demand for painters and decorators, although there is often maintenance work available.

According to the Census, 12,297 painters and decorators worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Most painters and decorators work for small firms or are self-employed

Most painters and decorators work in small firms, and about one third are self-employed. Some self-employed painters and decorators work on contracts in pairs or small teams.

Find out more about training

Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO)
04 381 6430 - info@bcito.org.nz - www.bcito.org.nz
Master Painters New Zealand
04 472 5870 - nationaloffice@masterpainters.org.nz - www.masterpainters.co.nz

Progression and specialisations

Painters and decorators may progress to set up their own businesses, or move into supervisor or management roles.

Painters and decorators may specialise in:

  • commercial or residential work
  • interior or exterior painting
  • wallpapering
  • decorative or maintenance work.

Working conditions

Painters and decorators:

  • usually work regular business hours, but may be required to work longer hours or weekends. Commercial painters and decorators may work at night
  • work on homes and commercial buildings that are being built or renovated
  • may work in cold or dusty conditions, inside and outside and at heights.

Physical Requirements

Painters and decorators need to:

  • have good eyesight (with or without corrective lenses) and normal colour vision
  • be reasonably fit and have a strong back and knees, as their work involves a lot of bending, standing and lifting
  • be comfortable working at heights
  • have good hand-eye co-ordination.

Useful personal qualities

Painters and decorators need to be:

  • detail-focused, with an eye for colour
  • practical, quick and accurate
  • neat and tidy in their work
  • organised
  • responsible
  • good at relating to people
  • able to work as part of a team.

Industry

Construction

Painters and decorators apply decorative and protective finishes to interior and exterior walls, doors, windows and other surfaces of buildings.

Similar jobs in this industry

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