Apprenticeship ยท Level 6 ยท Construction

Painting & Decorating

Painters and decorators apply paint, wall coverings and other finishes inside and outside buildings. It suits creative people who like colour and interiors.

How apprenticeships work: you are hired by an approved employer and paid while you learn, mixing work with blocks of training in a college or training centre. You don't apply through the CAO and you don't need CAO points.

Key facts

How long
4 years (7 phases: 4 on-the-job, 3 off-the-job)
Award
QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft โ€“ Painting and Decorating
Where you train
  • National training centres and colleges (ETBs, TUs)
Pay
Salary from your employer on-the-job (rate agreed with employer); training allowance from your ETB during off-the-job phases
Costs
Student contribution of โ‚ฌ1,000 for Phase 4 and โ‚ฌ1,000 for Phase 6 (two off-the-job phases are in a higher education institution)

Entry requirements

  • Must be hired by an approved employer
  • Enough English to take part in training and assessment (e.g. Junior Cycle, Leaving Cert or Leaving Cert Applied, or equivalent proof)
  • Must pass the Ishihara Colour Vision Test (24 Plate Edition)
  • Full eligibility is in the apprenticeship brochure

How to apply

You must be hired by an approved employer. Search vacancies on the Apprenticeship Jobs page on apprenticeship.ie or ask your local ETB.

Official page on apprenticeship.ie โ†—

What you'll learn

  • Prepare surfaces for painting and decorating
  • Use a range of painting techniques
  • Hang wallpaper and wall coverings
  • Do renovation, preservation and restoration work
  • Do basic signwriting and stencilling and advise on colours

Where it can lead

  • Painter and decorator with building or painting contractors
  • Self-employed painter and decorator
  • Manager, business owner or instructor

Useful Leaving Cert subjects

Art, Construction Studies, Design and Communication Graphics

These help with the content of the programme; they are not entry requirements unless listed above.

Not sure which route suits you?

Our CAO Interest Test matches you to course areas, and now shows apprenticeships and tertiary degrees in your strongest areas too.

Take the CAO Interest Test โ†’ Try the free 3-minute test

Information from apprenticeship.ie, checked November 2026. Details can change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.