I’ve dabbled a little over the years with painting around the house and yard, and learned lots as I’ve watched my novice mistakes appear before my eyes. So, for my latest renovation project I decided it was time to hire a professional. After asking around, I was given a ‘recommendation’. A painter with a passion for his work. Turned out he had built a solid reputation and was recommended from another reliable trades source. Score!

So he started, first up he completed some external work, then the staircase – way too tricky for me to tackle - then he might as well finish off the hallways upstairs and downstairs I thought. Next, the kitchen ceiling needs a freshen up I reasoned… Okay, and all the timber doors and frames were yellowing, I’ll ask him to work over those too... there you have it! Two weeks had passed, and he was almost done. What an amazing job, clean, superior finish, safe worker. I felt this had gone very well.

So, in between the many times I asked if he could do more and more work, we’d got chatting.  How long had he been in the trade I wondered? Had he always been a painter I questioned? Where did he qualify in the trade?  What course had he studied...?  I guess some of these questions came to me as I work in education. As I’m always looking to find out how people develop their skills, and how opportunities and life choices come along.

I was both somewhat surprised and inspired when he said, he had no formal training. That he’d always loved painting, he liked transforming his own place, he’d paint for his family and friends. He knew he was good it at. He saw the lucrative side of being a tradesperson too, he saw the benefits of working for himself, of choosing business or jobs when and where it suited him. He also saw that going to university to achieve a degree was costly and wouldn’t guarantee him any more financial freedom or life balance. He really got me thinking, with a lot of passion, some grit and a good attitude, anyone can achieve what they want.  Could I become a painter?

This too is an opportunity awaiting you. There is a shortage of quality tradespeople, of painters and decorators. In both residential and commercial projects, the laws of supply and demand tell us that those few who are skilled and willing to work, can earn a seriously good income. Higher than the average university graduates in fact.  

If you’ve read this far, I urge you to check out Trade courses online 100 hours courses in Painting and Decorating.  With minimal business start-up costs, you could get started on this career path today. You might not have an on-the-job mentor like apprentices, but with the 100 hours Painting and Decorating course with ACS, you will have access to a tutor who will act as guide and answer questions.

Equip yourself with broad and extensive knowledge in painting and decorating and start today.