CBE Learning

Jamie Read

Apprentice Painter and Decorator

Currently studying

Level 2 NVQ in Painting & Decorating

My role day to day

I’ve just completed my three year apprenticeship at Lewisham College. I share my time between work for Wates and my college course. I really enjoy the balance between learning specialist skills and getting the chance to put them into practice on the job.

I might spend time on a new build site or do repairs and maintenance work on existing buildings. I’m currently working on a Peabody Estate which involves everything from painting sash windows to communal stairwells and exteriors.

At college, I’m learning technical skills such as wood graining, marbling, ragging on and ragging off, as well as many different specialist finishes.

Recent projects

I’ve recently worked on an office block on the south east coast. It was a new build so there was a lot of work over a six month period as part of a team responsible for all sorts of different aspects of the building’s creation on the site.

What I like about my job

I like being able to move around from one job to the next, being in different places all the time. I also enjoy working with people. I often work as one half of a pair which I enjoy.

What attracted me to the Construction industry

I always like decorating and had thought about it as an option when I was about to leave school. I knew I wanted to do something hands on. There are lots of opportunities within a construction firm like Wates. I’d quite like to move into management at some point and there are lots of choices and strands of learning on offer through my apprenticeship.

My Top Tip

Look for a course that can act as a taster, offering practical experience in a particular area of construction to find out if it’s the right choice for you.