What does a Painter & Decorator actually do?

The short version

Painters and decorators prep and finish the surfaces everyone sees — the last trade on the job, the easiest to enter, and the most likely to be self-employed (around three-quarters are).

The pitch: you can start as a mate with no qualifications, build to a booked-out domestic round, and never need a licence. The catch: low barriers mean a crowded cheap end — the good money follows speed, clean lines and a reputation, not a certificate.

Entry routes that actually work

• Direct entry as a mate or improver — the commonest route; learn on the job and get fast.
• Painter & Decorator apprenticeship (Level 2 → Level 3 Craft) — the structured route with an NVQ.
• College diploma then trainee work — bench skills including wallpapering before you apply.